The Royal Mausoleum

The Royal Mausoleum, built between 1862 and 1871 by A J Humbert and Professor Gruner of Dresden, is a Grade I listed building. It is constructed from Portland stone ashlar and features a Romanesque design based on a Greek cross plan. The structure includes a tall octagonal drum, arcaded windows, and a shallow hipped copper roof. There are bowed, lower, arcaded window ambulatories between the arms of the cross. The east portico has three arches leading to a terrace and a flight of steps, with two full-size bronze angels positioned in front of the portico and ornate lamp standards at the base of the steps.

Inside, the mausoleum boasts rich Raphaelesque decoration designed by Gruner. The arms of the building are barrel vaulted, with giant pilasters supporting the main piers, large statue niches, and painted spandrels above the arches. Oval medallions are placed between the tripartite windows of the drum. The sculpture work is by Dresden artists H Baumer, H Hultzsch, G Kuntz, and F Rentsch, while the paintings and frescoes are by N Consoni, J Frank, and P Jander.

A large tomb chest monument dedicated to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert features marble effigies created by Baron Marochetti between 1864 and 1868. Other monuments to members of the Royal Family were crafted by Boehm, and there is an Anglo-Saxon group of Victoria and Albert by W Theed the younger.