Melbourne, Australia: Shrine of Remembrance

When a municipality decides to construct a memorial to the victims of wars, it tends to go all out. The fallen obviously deserve the tribute, and no one wants to cut corners in saluting those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

A federal memorial usually is the biggest and best of its kind in this department, but the city of Melbourne deserves credit for its tribute. It only takes a walk on to the grounds to figure out that a visit will be meaningful.

Welcome to the Shrine of Remembrance - or, as it is usually called in Melbourne, The Shrine. The idea began in 1918, as World War I was winding down. The connection to the British Empire produced some devastating results for Australia, and everyone knew they'd want to get it right. The usual initial steps were taken, and a design was picked in 1923. Work on it started in 1927, and was finished in 1934. In other words, it took almost 16 years from idea to grand opening. 

This is where the biggest civic ceremonies in Melbourne are held on Anzac Day - something of a Memorial Day for all of the war death - and Remembrance Day, marked on November 11 as the end of World War I and then expanded in meaning from there. The building has a great deal of parkland surrounding it, with a few smaller monuments scattered on the grounds.

Inside the main building are some tributes to the military. But the best part comes in a big room called the Sanctuary. The room has a very high ceiling with an opening on top. If conditions are right, a ray of sunlight comes down from the rafters at 11 a.m. and moves its way across a small plaque. It's rather impressive, and you need to see it.