Craigentinny Marbles

Was at the dentist this afternoon, having an airflow session!

This meant that I could blip this mausoleum on the way home.

The mausoleum, popularly known as the Craigentinny Marbles, was commissioned in 1848 following the death of William Henry Miller, a former MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, and owner of Craigentinny House.

Miller was exceptionally wealthy, setting aside a significant slice of his £300,000 fortune to pay for a fitting final resting place to be built in Craigentinny close to modern-day Portobello Road. Around £20,000 was paid to renowned architect David Rhind to design an extravagant monument inspired by the ancient tombs of Rome’s Appian Way.

Upon Miller’s death, a team of 80 labourers were tasked with digging out a 30ft deep, stone-lined burial shaft, with a large slab placed over the top. The extreme depth of the burial plot was a specification set by Miller himself, who was determined to prevent his corpse being exhumed by any would-be body snatchers.

The monument is decorated with two expertly-carved marble panels depicting biblical scenes, ‘The Overthrow of the Pharaoh’ and ‘The Song of Moses and Miriam’. These panels were fixed to either side of the mausoleum upon its completion in 1856, and gave rise to its intriguing name.

It’s the weekend, enjoy.