Tomb of Karl Marx

The Tomb of Karl Marx is a bronze memorial in Highgate Cemetery, Camden, London. The philosopher's head rises on a marble base that stands 3.7 meters (12 feet) tall and sits among older gravestones and trees.

After his death in 1883, Marx was first buried elsewhere, but in 1954 his remains were brought here. The new monument was unveiled in 1956 by Harry Pollitt and replaced a more modest gravestone.

The bronze head shows Marx with a flowing beard gazing forward, while the inscription from The Communist Manifesto appears in gold lettering on the base. Visitors often leave small stones on the grave following Jewish tradition, though Marx himself distanced from religious practice.

Access to the eastern part of the cemetery requires an entry ticket available from the Friends of Highgate Cemetery. Guided tours offer additional background on the graves and the site, though visiting without a tour is also possible.

In the 1970s, the monument suffered two bomb attacks and several acts of vandalism. Authorities then installed video surveillance to protect the site.

Location: London Borough of Camden

Inception: 1956

Creator: Laurence Bradshaw

Height: 3.7 m

Subject: Karl Marx

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 51.56620,-0.14392

Latest update: December 12, 2025 22:54