5 Famous Monuments Made from Granite (and What They Teach Us About Memorial Monuments Today)

Granite may not be something many of us stop to think about—but it silently surrounds us as part of some of the most iconic and lasting creations in the world. Between getting the kids off to school, handling work tasks, and deciding what to make for dinner, it’s easy to take materials like granite for granted. Yet, this extraordinary natural stone has played an essential role in building and preserving human history.

Formed deep within the Earth from slowly cooled magma, granite is an igneous rock composed of quartz, feldspar, mica, and other minerals. Its signature strength, crystal-rich texture, and striking range of colors come from this slow formation process and mineral blend. Because of its extreme durability, density, and weather resistance, granite has long been used by civilizations to create structures and monuments meant to last—not just decades, but centuries.

From temples to modern memorials, granite continues to serve as a powerful medium for commemoration. Below are five world-famous granite monuments that demonstrate why this material is still one of the most trusted choices in memorial craftsmanship today.

1. Mount Rushmore – South Dakota, USA

Arguably the most recognizable granite monument globally, Mount Rushmore was painstakingly carved into a massive granite cliff face in South Dakota's Black Hills. The enormous sculpture displays the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and took 14 years (starting in 1927) to complete.

Nearly 450,000 tons of rock were removed to bring this vision to life. Though the original plan was even grander, funding constraints led to the creation of just the heads. Today, Mount Rushmore stands as a timeless example of granite’s ability to preserve legacy with bold visibility and permanence.

2. Brihadeeswarar Temple – Thanjavur, India

This spectacular granite temple—one of the grandest ever built—was constructed between 1003 and 1010 AD in the southern Indian city of Thanjavur. Dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the Brihadeeswarar Temple utilized more than 130,000 tons of granite, transported from about 60 kilometers away without the use of modern machinery.

Its colossal tower (Vimana) reaches 216 feet, and its 80-ton granite crown and 20-ton single-stone Nandi (bull) statue are awe-inspiring even today. Amazingly, the temple is engineered so precisely that it casts no shadow on the ground at noon. The monument reflects not only the artistic talents of its era but also granite’s strength as a spiritual and cultural building material.

3. Statue of Amenhotep III – London, UK

Granite’s long-standing presence in memorial craftsmanship dates back thousands of years. In the British Museum in London resides the red granite head of Amenhotep III—Pharaoh of Egypt around 1370 BC. Originally from the Temple of Mut at Karnak, this statue’s head and arm are rare survivors of the era, preserved despite centuries of political change and erosion.

The red tint of the granite is due to high iron content, and its detail displays the remarkable skill of ancient sculptors. It remains a powerful example of how granite was used to honor royalty and secure their memory for millennia.

4. Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain – London, UK

Unveiled in 2004, this modern tribute to Princess Diana is located in Hyde Park and draws over a million yearly visitors. Crafted from 545 precisely shaped Cornish granite blocks, the fountain flows in two directions and features three crossing bridges.

Fabricated with computer-guided shaping tools, the stones were sourced from Northern Ireland and assembled in London. The gently flowing granite curves were designed to represent the Princess's grace, openness, and compassion, making it as symbolic as it is artistic.

5. Vietnam Veterans Memorial – Washington, D.C., USA

This deeply moving tribute, dedicated in 1982, is renowned for its simplicity and emotional impact. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a black Indian granite wall engraved with the names of over 58,000 American service members who died or went missing during the Vietnam War.

Designed to be reflective—both literally and symbolically—the wall’s polished surface allows visitors to see their own image alongside the names, creating a profound connection. Many visitors create rubbings of names as personal mementos of remembrance. The understated power and timelessness of the granite design have cemented this as one of America’s most meaningful war memorials.

From Global Icons to Personal Tributes: The Role of Granite Memorial Monuments Today

These five awe-inspiring landmarks clearly show how granite has been essential in preserving memory, honouring legacies, and telling stories that span continents and centuries.

While not every monument needs to be thousands of tons or attract millions of visitors, the significance behind them remains the same—to remember, to honour, and to withstand the test of time.

That’s why granite continues to be a top choice for memorial monuments, headstones, and grave markers in places like Alberta and beyond. Its natural beauty and enduring strength make it ideal for personal tributes, offering families a way to celebrate loved ones with grace, permanence, and individuality.

Whether you're creating a custom granite memorial monument, a heartfelt grave marker, or a family legacy piece, you're participating in a tradition as old as civilization itself.

Majestic Monuments: Creating Lasting Memorials Across Alberta

For families seeking to honour their loved ones with finely crafted granite monuments in Alberta, Majestic Monuments offers a broad range of products tailored to a variety of needs and preferences. Whether you are considering traditional markers, upright headstones, wing or cross monuments, or more distinctive options such as benches, columbariums, and sculptures, their selection ensures a fitting tribute for every story.

Majestic Monuments also provides personalized pet markers and thoughtful accessories that add special touches to memorial sites. No matter the form, each piece combines durable materials with timeless design to preserve memories with grace.

Beyond products, Majestic Monuments delivers comprehensive services—including professional on-site engraving to personalize inscriptions directly at cemetery locations, precise monument installation to ensure stability and respect, and monument restoration to maintain the beauty and dignity of older memorials. Their team also collaborates on public art projects that celebrate community heritage, crafts enduring bronze memorials, and offers custom carving and headstone design services to create truly unique tributes.

With decades of experience and a commitment to compassionate care, Majestic Monuments supports families through every step of the memorial process, helping create enduring symbols of love and remembrance that stand the test of time.

Looking to honour your loved one with a timeless tribute?

Explore our custom granite grave stones in Alberta, grave markers, and memorial monuments today. Let us help you craft a piece that reflects the life, spirit, and legacy of someone you’ll never forget.