Some of the most beautiful places in the entire world have been the abodes of kings and emperors. Palaces, from Europe, to India, to China, have a way of captivating us with their majestic architectural styles. Here are some of the most beautiful palaces for you to discover.
Mysore Palace
This palace, also known as the ‘ Amba Vilas Palace,' is the residence of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore, the Wodeyars. The palace is well maintained and architecturally stunning. The grounds are home to Mysore's golf course.
Jaisalmer Palace
Also known as 'Rajmahal' this erstwhile royal residence in Jaisalmer was constructed around 1500. With well-kept grounds and fully renovated sections the palace draws a steady stream of visitors.
Luxembourg Palace
The Luxembourg palace was built as a royal residence for Marie de Médicis, mother of King Louis XIII of France and is located in the heart of the 6th arrondissement in Paris. The palace has the second largest park in city and is a popular spot for people looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Paris.
Laxmi Vilas Palace,Vadodara
Lakshmi Vilas Palace, an extravagant building of the Indo-Saracenic school, was built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890.The palace is the chief private residence built till date and is four times the size of Buckingham Palace. At the time of construction it boasted the most contemporary facilities such as elevators and the interior is reminiscent of a large European country house. It remains the residence of the Royal Family, who continues to be held in high esteem by the residents of Baroda.
Palace of Versailles, France
This grand palace was built in the mid-17th century during the reign of Louis XIV to showcase the absolute power of the French monarchy, which was then at the zenith of its glory. Its size and decor reflects the Louis XIV's taste for extravagant luxury.
Jag Mandir Palace, Udaipur
Built on an island in the Lake Pichola in Udaipur, this is also known as the 'Lake Garden Palace.' The palace's construction is credited to the Sisodia Rajput dynasty of Mewar. The erstwhile royal family used the palace as a summer retreat.
Pena National Palace, Portugal
Built in 1842 by King Ferdinand II, the Pena National Palace in Portugal is the oldest European castle of the Romantic era. The palace was built on the ruins of a monastery severely damaged in the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. Today, with it's unique red and yellow facade restored, it's one of Portugal’s most visited monuments.
City Palace, Jaipur
This palace in Jaipur includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal Palaces amongst other historical structures within its grounds.
Palace of Trier, Germany
The Electoral Palace located adjacent to the Basilica is considered one of the most beautiful rococo palaces in the world. The wonderful rococo staircase in the south wing, a creation by the artists Seiz and Tietz, is particularly worth seeing. On special occasions, concerts are performed in the Grand Chamber of the rococo wing.
Dolmabahce Palace, Turkey
This palace, built in 19th century, was the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire and served as the residence for the last Sultan. Popular Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk used the palace as a residence.
National Palace of Queluz, Portugal
Located between Lisbon and Sintra, the National palace of Queluz is one of the leading examples of the rococo and neoclassical architectural styles from the second half of the 18th century in Portugal. The palace was initially designed as a summer house and was the preferred place for the royal family’s leisure and entertainment.
Potala Palace, Lhasa
The glorious Potala Palace, once the seat of the Tibetan government, and the winter abode of the Dalai Lamas, was once Lhasa's prime landmark.The palace has a spectacular architecture consisting of 13 storeys from the 130 metre-high Marpo Ri (Red Hill) and has more than a thousand rooms. Closer to home, the Thiksey Monastery in Leh, India, bears more than a striking resemblance to the palace becasue of which it's known as 'mini-Potala.'
Massandra Palace, Crimea, Ukraine
A hunting lodge built to resemble a French vineyard, this turreted palace was completed by Tsar Alexander III in 1889. The restored palace contains paintings and antique furniture.
Summer Palace, Beijing
The Summer Palace is in fact a conglomeration of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing, China. Dominated by Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake, the palace's grounds cover almost three square kilomtres, two-thirds of which are taken by water bodies. The palace was a former playground for emperors fleeing the suffocating summer torpor of the old imperial city. It is only a short drive (15 km) from central Beijing.
Schönbrunn Palace
One of the most important cultural monuments in the country, since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. Schönbrunn Palace is a former imperial 1,441-room Rococo summer residence in modern Vienna, Austria. The palace was built between 1696 and 1712 at the request of Emperor Leopold I. The Palace Park offers a lot of attractions, such as the Privy Garden, the oldest zoo in the world, a maze and labyrinth, and the Gloriette (a marble summerhouse) situated on top of a 60 meter high hill.
Château de Chambord
The royal Château de Chambord at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France, is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building was constructed by King François I.
Neuschwanstein Palace
When considering the most beautiful palaces in the world, it is hard not to include Neuschwanstein Palace. Neuschwanstein, located high in the hills in Bavaria, Germany, was the inspiration for the enchanting Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. Over 60 million people have paid a visit to this picturesque castle, and 1.6 million continue to do so each year.
Buckingham Palace
Originally known as Buckingham House is the official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.
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