The tomb of the Roman emperor Hadrian, also called Adrian's mole, was erected on the right bank of the Tiber between 135 AD and 139 AD.
Originally the mausoleum was a decorated cylinder, with a garden top and golden quadriga. Hadrian's ashes were placed here a year after his death in Baiae in 138 AD, along with those of his wife Sabina, and his first adopted son, Lucius Aelius, who also died in 138 AD.
Since then the remains of succeeding emperors were also placed here, the last being Caracalla in 217 AD. The urns containing these ashes were probably placed in what is now known as the Treasury room deep within the building.
Hadrian also built the Pons Aelius facing straight onto the mausoleum. This bridge still provides a scenic approach for who come from the right bank of the Tiber. It is as well renowned for the Baroque additions of statuary of angels holding aloft elements of the Passion of Christ.
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