Souvenir Medal Monnaie de Paris 2014 - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (13)

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, also known as the Tomb of Mausolus or simply the Mausoleum, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was constructed around 350 BC in Halicarnassus, which is now Bodrum, Turkey, as a tribute to Mausolus, a local king, and his wife/sister Artemisia II. This Greek-style architectural marvel featured an impressive rectangular base adorned with columns, statues, and intricate decorations. Standing approximately 45 meters (about 148 feet) tall, it was richly ornamented and considered a masterpiece of its time. Unfortunately, earthquakes and subsequent disassembly over the centuries have left only fragments of the original structure. Nevertheless, the term "mausoleum" is derived from this monument, reflecting its historical significance as a grand funerary tribute.