National monuments stand as iconic symbols of nations, but beyond their grand facades lie hidden secrets waiting to be uncovered. From cryptic inscriptions to hidden chambers, join us as we unveil 20 fascinating secrets concealed within these monumental structures around the world.

Mount Rushmore Secret Room

The majestic faces of four American presidents are carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota, drawing large visitors each year. However, there is a secret story concealed beneath this magnificent sight. Gutzon Borglum, the visionary sculptor, hailed from Idaho - a man whose reputation preceded him. As he chiseled away at Mount Rushmore for 14 audacious years, his mind wasn’t solely focused on technical feats. No, he dreamed of more - a Hall of Records within the mountain.

Here, the essence of America would endure for eternity. Yet fate intervened. Government demands and Borglum’s untimely passing left the Hall incomplete. Still, its presence echoes through time, a silent tribute to ambition and the indomitable spirit of its creator. Standing before those granite faces, we wonder: What secrets lie within? What dreams did Borglum carve into the heart of the Black Hills? The Hall of Records may remain closed, but its legacy endures.

Easter Island Statues, Chile

Located far out in the vast southeast Pacific Ocean, Easter Island - also known by its aboriginal name, Rapa Nui—is a foreboding and remote island. Curious about the meaning of the mysterious moai statues, which were made by the ancient Rapa Nui people sometime in the 13th century, both locals and historians are drawn to the island's secret past. Under the supervision of Prof. Carl Lipo of Binghamton University, experts delving into the enigma found an unexpected connection: the sculptures are purposefully positioned inside the Rano Raraku volcano's dry lake bed.

Easter Island boasts over 300 megalithic platforms, each potentially built by a distinct community. The study focused on the east of the island, mapping resources and examining the placement of 93 platforms constructed before European contact. Interestingly, the team found that proximity to freshwater sites best explained the platform locations, debunking earlier theories.