Altes Mausoleum, Neoclassical mausoleum in Rosenhöhe Park, Darmstadt, Germany.
Altes Mausoleum is a neoclassical burial monument in Darmstadt featuring limestone and refined classical details. The structure consists of a central section topped with a triangular pediment, a columned entrance, and two matching wings connected by covered colonnades.
Construction began in 1826 under architect Georg Moller as a tomb for five-year-old Princess Elisabeth. Over time, other members of the House of Hesse were laid to rest here, transforming it into a family memorial spanning generations.
The building expresses classical ideals through its proportions and materials, serving as a place where the ducal family could remember their loved ones. The interior with its solemn monuments shows how the elite of that time chose to memorialize their dead.
The building sits within Rosenhöhe Park and can be visited during regular park hours. Plan your visit for cooler days since the park offers little shade, and the site tends to be quieter in the morning.
Inside lies a marble sculpture of Princess Elisabeth carved by renowned sculptor Christian Daniel Rauch, depicting her in eternal sleep. This work is considered one of his most memorable creations.
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