Built by the French army in 1804 this landmark in the heart of the Netherlands is modeled after the Pyramid of Khufu in Egypt, but the name was changed just a few years after its construction to commemorate Napoleon's victory in the Battle of Austerlitz in 1806.
The original pyramid, which was made of earth and sand terraces in a mere 27 days, didn't survive very long as it was quickly eroded by destructive weather conditions. The original needle atop the hill was made of wood, but as with the original earthen construction, strong winds and rain quickly destroyed the obelisk and it was replaced by a stone spire. After the initial efforts to keep the man-made hill in good repair were met with continual setbacks, the pyramid fell into disrepair for much of the 20th century.
Luckily, in the early 2000's restoration of the monument began and the current pyramid is composed of grass-covered steps which lead up to the crowning obelisk. While the structure is still quite delicate, thanks to the placement of a metal framework, visitors can now actually climb the central staircase up to the obelisk. The Pyramid of Austerlitz is now a popular tourist attraction which is surrounded by a fun fair, cafe and other modern amenities.