Throughout history, gold is a metal that has always been highly treasured, not only because of its beauty but also because of its strength and permanence. Gold is also a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and is seen in this select OROGOLD list of some of the most magnificent monuments in countries all around the world.
The Golden Buddha, Bangkok, Thailand
The Golden Buddha, weighing 5500 kilograms, is the largest solid gold statue in the world, and is in the Wat Traimit temple in Bangkok, Thailand. The statue, which is over 3 meters tall, the 18 carat gold in the statue has an estimated worth of over 250 million dollars. It is believed to have been created in the 13th or 14th century, and at some point in time, it was completely covered over in plaster to keep it safe from thieves. The gold part of the statue was only discovered in 1955, when it was being moved to a new location and was dropped, resulting in some of the plaster falling off, revealing the gold beneath. A key was also discovered hidden in plaster at the base of the statue, allowing the statue to be disassembled into nine different parts for easier transportation.
The Statue of Liberty, New York, USA
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic monuments in the world. It was given to the US by France in 1886 and is located on Liberty Island. Before flying on planes became common, this was the first part of America that immigrants, visitors and returning Americans would have seen when arriving into New York. Although the statue itself is made of copper, the flame of the torch that is carried is coated with gold leaf, enabling it to shine with strength and power.
The Golden Temple of Sripuram, Tamil Nadu, India
The Golden Temple of Sripuram is located in Tamil Nadu in India, and is the largest structure in the world to be made from gold. Both the exterior and interior of the temple is coated in gold, making it one of the grandest looking temples in the world. Inside the temple, there are many intricate sculptures, also made of gold, as well as the Satari, a solid gold crown that weighs one kilogram.
The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel
The Dome of the Rock was completed in 691, and is believed to be the oldest Islamic building in the world. It is located in Jerusalem, where it is a huge landmark and tourist attraction, and is also said to be the holiest spot in Judaism. At the time that it was built, it is said that 100,000 gold coins were melted down and then cast onto the dome’s exterior. In 1998, the dome underwent some refurbishment, and 80 more kilograms of gold was added to it.
Gold is so highly treasured in almost every society around the world, making it the obvious choice for monuments that need to withstand the test of time, whilst looking magnificent, luxurious and powerful. These monuments have all become national treasures, and ORO GOLD believes that they will remain as such for many generations to come.
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