Lakewood Cemetery and Memorial Chapel, Minneapolis

Inspired by the iconic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, the Memorial Chapel at Lakewood Cemetery stands as a sparkling gem of Midwest architecture. Minneapolis’ own Harry Wild Jones took the lead on the project, breaking ground in late 1908. The building’s signature look features a Spanish-tiled roof, rugged red granite walls, and heavy solid-bronze doors embellished with ancient religious motifs.

In 1909, the cemetery board enlisted New York designer Charles Lamb to bring the interior to life. Under a soaring 40-foot dome, 24 Art Nouveau-style windows not only flood the space with light, but also double as a kind of sundial. The dome itself gleams with a stunning mosaic of 12 angels and other spiritual symbols. To pull off this masterpiece, Lamb turned to top-tier Italian mosaic artists-fresh from their work at the Vatican-and brought over more than 10 million tiny, fingernail-sized pieces of marble, stone, and glass from Venice. These were assembled into a show-stopping mosaic that still stuns visitors today. Despite the passing of over a century, the Lakewood Chapel’s interior remains almost completely unchanged, a timeless mosaic marvel.

Established back in 1871, the cemetery serves as the eternal resting place for a roll call of Minneapolis’s A-listers, political powerhouses, and influential families. Among the famous residents are Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Dunwoody Institute founder William Dunwoody, the ukulele-strumming Tiny Tim, and trailblazing suffragette Clara Ueland. And as you stroll the grounds, you’ll also encounter memorials that nod to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Brotherhood of the Fraternal Order of Elks, and the dramatic history of the Washburn A Mill Explosion. It’s a peaceful spot that’s anything but forgettable.