Top 10 Ancient Roman Mausoleums

Mausoleums were important and revered structures in the Ancient Roman World. They often housed the remains of emperors, and they were places of quiet, somber reflection. Most Roman Mausoleums had a cylindrical design, with a centrally oriented space topped by a dome. Wealthy Romans would spend vast sums of money constructing these mausoleums, in the hope that their remains would be visited for centuries to come. Eventually, after the fall of the Roman Empire, most mausoleums were repurposed into other buildings like churches and fortifications. The list below will highlight 10 of the greatest surviving Roman Mausoleums and show the lasting legacy of these important monuments.

Who Were the Romans, and Why Did They Build Mausoleums?

The Roman Empire was an ancient civilization that controlled a territory stretching from the British Isles all the way to Egypt and Mesopotamia. The Romans were masters of engineering, bureaucracy, and war. They filled their empire with incredible monuments like aqueducts, amphitheaters, forums, and Mausoleums.

The Romans constructed mausoleums as tombs that housed the remains of important individuals. This practice was common throughout the ancient world and can also be seen in Greek and Egyptian societies. The Roman Mausoleum was meant to be a somber place for reflection and contemplation. This idea is reflected in the architecture. Mausoleums were typically dark structures with thick masonry walls. They revolved around a circular central space, which was the building’s focal point.  

The Top 10 Ancient Roman Mausoleums

Below is a list of some of the greatest Ancient Roman Mausoleums that can still be visited today. The sites are in order of their size, splendor, and intactness.

1. Mausoleum of Hadrian  –  Rome, Italy

The Mausoleum of Hadrian is an ancient structure built to house the remains of Emperor Hadrian. He ruled from 117 until 138 CE and is regarded as one of Rome’s greatest emperors. Hadrian commissioned many incredible monuments throughout the empire, including several temples and triumphal arches. He also built a fortified line straight across the Island of Great Britain, which would come to be known as Hadrian’s Wall. Upon his death, Hadrian’s remains were moved to his mausoleum, where they were kept for centuries.

Hadrian’s Mausoleum would not stay untouched for long, though. During the Middle Ages, the structure was completely transformed into a fortification. In the left image above, you can see the line where a more modern addition begins at the top of the original mausoleum. This new expanded structure would eventually be known as Castel Sant’Angelo. It served as the main fortification for the Popes during the peak of the Papal States. 

2. Mausoleum of Diocletian –  Split, Dalmatia, Croatia

Diocletian was a Roman emperor who ruled from 284 until 305 CE. He commissioned a massive palace on the coastline of the Adriatic Sea, in what is now Croatia. The palace was essentially its own city, equipped with living quarters, fortified walls, an aqueduct, and a large mausoleum. Diocletian would spend his final seven years living in this palace after his abdication as Roman Emperor in 305. Upon his death, his remains were placed inside the mausoleum.

Eventually, after the fall of the Roman Empire, Diocletian’s fortified palace became a safe haven for a large number of refugees. These people established a settlement that would later be known as Split. Most of Split’s inhabitants were Christians, and they chose to convert the Mausoleum of Diocletian into the Cathedral of Saint Domnius. Because it was utilized as a church, the building remains remarkably well preserved, and it still has most of its original marble detailing and Corinthian Columns. A Romanesque bell tower was added to the cathedral during the Middle Ages, and it has since become one of the most notable buildings in all of Split.

3. Mausoleum of Galerius  –  Thessoloniki, Greece

Dating from the 4th century, the Mausoleum of Galerius is one of several notable Roman Monuments within the city of Thessaloniki. The mausoleum was commissioned by Emperor Galerius, along with a large colonnade and a triumphal arch. Shortly after his death, the Mausoleum of Galerius was converted into a Christian Church. The building remained a church up until the Ottoman Conquest of Thessaloniki. After this, it was converted to a mosque, and a minaret was added – which you can see on the left side of the image above.

4. Mausoleum of Augustus – Rome, Italy

The Mausoleum of Augustus is perhaps the most notable Roman Mausoleum ever constructed. It was built to house the remains of Augustus, Rome’s first emperor. Augustus seized power in the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s assassination, and he ruled over the empire from 27 BCE until 14 CE. Upon his death, his remains were moved to this Mausoleum, located in the heart of Rome. Although not the first Roman Mausoleum ever built, Augustus’ served as a template for multiple subsequent imperial tombs. Today, the building lies in a state of ruin, but it still stands as a testament to one of Rome’s most powerful emperors. 

5. Mausoleum of Constantina  –  Rome, Italy

The Mausoleum of Constantina is one of several mausoleums located in Rome. It dates to the 4th century CE and was constructed for Constantina, the daughter of Emperor Constantine the Great. The interior of the mausoleum is remarkably well preserved, and it contains 24 intact Corinthian columns. Eventually, the Mausoleum of Constantina was converted into a church. Today, it is known as Santa Costanza, and it is one of many repurposed ancient structures in the city of Rome.

6. Mausoleum at Villa Gordiani  –  Rome, Italy

Villa Gordiani is a large complex of buildings located on the outer edges of Rome. The villa was constructed by a wealthy Roman family that provided three emperors, Gordian I, Gordian II, & Gordian III. Villa Gordiani included a lavish bath, a large basilica, and a mausoleum for members of the Gordian dynasty. Although part of the Gordian mausoleum has collapsed, you can still see the standard cylindrical design of the structure.

7. Roman Mausoleum of Córdoba  –  Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain

Cordoba is a city in southern Spain with a large variety of Roman ruins. In addition to a Roman Bridge and remnants of a Roman Temple, Cordoba is home to an interesting Ancient Roman Mausoleum. It was built by a wealthy individual during the 1st century CE, and remained undiscovered until it was excavated in the 1990s. Cordoba is one of the most interesting cities in Spain, and its many Roman, Moorish, and Spanish monuments make it a great place for studying Architectural History.

8. Mausoleum of Caecilia Metella – (Appian Way) Rome, Italy

The Appian Way was a notable road that connected Rome with other Italian cities like Taranto and Brindisi. It stretched Southeastward out of Rome and was lined with dozens of ancient monuments, memorials, and tombs. One of the Appian Way’s most notable sites is the Mausoleum of Caecilia Metella. The mausoleum was constructed in the 1st century BCE by a man who once served as Consul of Rome.

9. Mausoleum of Helena – Rome, Italy

The Mausoleum of Helena is a large tomb constructed by Emperor Constantine the Great. Constantine was a formidable general and one of the greatest emperors who ever ruled. He commissioned many monuments throughout Rome and Constantinople. He originally built this mausoleum as his own tomb; however, when his mother Helena passed away in the early 3rd century, he decided to dedicate the structure to her.

10. Mazor Mausoleum  –  El’ad, Israel

Although most Roman Mausoleums were cylindrical, some tombs were designed to mimic ancient Roman Temples. The Mazor Mausoleum is a great example of this practice. It was built in the 3rd century and is remarkably well preserved. It still has its original Corinthian Columns, along with most of its walls and roof. The Mazor Mausoleum is one of many impressive monuments from the Roman Province of Judea. There is also an aqueduct, theater, and racetrack at the site of the ancient city of Caesarea Maritima.

What Happened to Roman Mausoleums?

Most Roman Mausoleums did not remain as tombs forever. They either fell into a ruinous state after the Fall of the Roman Empire, or they were converted into other buildings like Churches and Castles. Some great examples of this are the Mausoleum of Diocletian in Split, which was converted into a church, and the Mausoleum of Hadrian in Rome, which was transformed into the Castel Sant’Angelo.

Influences of the Roman Mausoleum

Roman Mausoleums were incredibly influential structures. Their cylindrical designs were recreated throughout history by many different cultures. In the left image below, you can see the Mausoleum of Theodoric. This tomb is located in Ravenna, Italy, and was constructed by Theodoric the Great. Theodoric served as King of the Ostrogoths until his death in 526 CE. Although he himself had fought the Romans, he built his tomb to mimic a typical Roman Mausoleum.

Another major influence of the Ancient Roman Mausoleum was the development of round churches and baptistries. These buildings were also cylindrical and centrally planned. The right image above shows the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. Built by the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century, the church copied many elements from Roman Mausoleums.

Roman Mausoleums Today

The Ancient Romans glorified death and the afterlife, and many of the empire’s wealthiest citizens constructed elaborate tombs to house their remains. These mausoleums were typically round, cylindrical buildings, with a central space capped by a dome. Dozens of Roman Mausoleums exist throughout the former lands of the empire, and many of these ancient structures were later reused as churches and fortifications. The Roman Mausoleum created a lasting legacy, and it influenced many subsequent building forms, such as round churches and baptistries.

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