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Palaces, often the residences of influential and wealthy individuals, are designed to exude a sense of immense grandeur. The affluent and powerful often express their identities through their architectural choices, leaving the world adorned with these awe-inspiring and sometimes captivating homes. Below, we present ten of the most remarkable palaces ever constructed.
10. Nonsuch Palace
Henry VIII, a king known for his lavish desires and deep insecurities, could not stand the thought of being viewed as inferior to his European counterparts. His inherited palaces were unimpressive, so he resolved to create a palace that would rival the finest in France. This grand structure was meant to be the pinnacle of Renaissance architecture, an unrivaled masterpiece. In honor of its unmatched ambition, Henry chose the name Nonsuch. Despite the immense cost, the outcome fell short of his lofty expectations.
Despite being the most magnificent residence in Britain, few of Henry’s successors showed any particular fondness for it. Charles II even gifted it to one of his mistresses. However, when she fell into financial ruin due to gambling debts, she sold the palace off, and it was dismantled for its building materials. Today, nothing of the original palace remains, except for fragments incorporated into other structures.
9. Domus Aurea
The Domus Aurea, or Golden House in English, was the lavish residence of Roman Emperor Nero. This opulent estate was one of the most remarkable private residences ever constructed. In ancient Rome, the city was an overcrowded maze of narrow streets and cramped, multi-story houses to accommodate its vast population. However, the destruction caused by the great fire of 64 AD, which devastated much of the aristocratic area on the Palatine Hill, made room for grander buildings. The term 'Palace' itself originates from the Palatine Hill, where grand residences were prevalent.
Nero’s critics, who unfortunately for him also wrote history, claim that he sang while Rome burned in 64 AD. If this is true, it may have been because he recognized that the fire would provide an opportunity to seize enough land to construct a palace befitting his status. The Domus Aurea spanned over 100 acres of the city, featuring a vast private pool and mock farms, creating the illusion of a pastoral paradise many Romans longed for. Inside, the palace boasted rooms adorned with stunning frescoes. One dining hall even featured a rotating ceiling, allowing guests to gaze at the stars while enjoying their meal indoors.
Upon seeing the completed palace, Nero, in his typically understated fashion (a perfect example of litotes for anyone wishing to impress their friends with their knowledge of rhetoric), remarked, “At last, I can live like a human.” After his death, the palace was repurposed for public use. The immense statue of Nero was removed, and the space was later transformed into a stadium, which was named the Coliseum after the statue.
8. Alhambra
The Alhambra, located in Granada, Spain, stands as one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the country. Constructed by the Moors, the Muslim rulers of Spain, during the 14th century, it became the seat of governance for various sultans of Granada. The palace is designed in classic Moorish style, featuring exquisitely detailed stonework.
A defining characteristic of the palace is its strategic use of courtyards and fountains to create an atmosphere of lightness and openness—an innovation previously unknown to European architecture. However, what truly captivates modern visitors is the intricate craftsmanship that went into even the smallest details. For example, the domed roof of the Hall of the Abencerrages is said to contain over five thousand meticulously carved niches.
After the Christian reconquest of Spain, the palace was repurposed for use by the Spanish royal family, undergoing modifications to adopt a more traditionally European architectural style.
7. Winter Palace
The Winter Palace in St. Petersburg served as the residence of Russian rulers. During the 1917 revolution, the palace became the site of a dramatic turning point in Russian history, with the royal family being executed. The palace boasted more than 1,500 rooms, with the largest of them capable of accommodating 10,000 people. It even featured a private cathedral.
Following the revolution, the Communist Army looted the palace and stumbled upon an extraordinary wine cellar. The cellar contained enough alcohol to sustain an entire month-long drinking spree, an event that has since been immortalized by historians as 'the greatest hangover in history.'
6. Blenheim
Blenheim Palace is unique in Britain, being the only palace that isn’t a royal residence. It was bestowed upon the first Duke of Marlborough for his victory in the War of the Spanish Succession. Spanning seven acres, it is one of the largest estates in the country and holds historical significance as the birthplace of Winston Churchill, who was related to the Duke. Churchill even proposed to his wife at this very location. While maintaining the palace can be costly, visitors can purchase tickets for tours, and for a bit of extra charm, the current Duke is known to casually roam the grounds, engaging with guests.
5. Potala
The Potala Palace in Lhasa, traditionally the residence of the Dalai Lamas, holds the title of the highest palace in the world. With thirteen stories, it was once the tallest inhabited building on Earth. The palace we see today is actually a fusion of two structures, the White and Red Palaces, which were constructed at different times. While the site's history of construction stretches back to the 7th century, the current exterior dates from a later period. Since the Dalai Lama's exile from China, the palace has become the most visited tourist destination in Tibet. Visitors are urged to acclimate themselves before entering, as oxygen supplies are prohibited within the palace for safety reasons, to prevent fire hazards.
4. Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace in Tokyo is the official residence of Japan's Emperors, a status it has held since the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. Although it is relatively modest in height—only two stories—when compared to other palaces, its value is immense, at times surpassing the entire worth of the state of California. The palace grounds, largely preserved during Japan's economic boom in the 80s, have become one of Tokyo's few remaining green spaces. Today, the palace complex is home to 20% of Tokyo’s trees.
3. Versailles
The Palace of Versailles, located just a short carriage ride from Paris, was originally built as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII. His successors, particularly Louis XIV, expanded it into a symbol of grandeur, making 'Versailles' synonymous with opulence. The palace's reputation soared when Louis XIV decided to move his court there permanently. By consolidating his power and keeping his sometimes unruly nobles close, he gained greater control over them.
Yet, this move also had its drawbacks, as it physically and socially distanced the nobility from the common people of France, potentially contributing to the monarchy’s eventual downfall. The extravagant lifestyle within the palace was increasingly resented by the impoverished populace, who could hardly afford basic necessities. Marie Antoinette exacerbated the situation by having a mock village constructed on the grounds, where she could indulge in fantasy and pretend to be a peasant. Despite the French Revolution, the palace survived and remains one of the country's premier attractions today.
2. Forbidden City
For five centuries, the Forbidden City was the official residence of the Chinese emperors. Situated at the heart of Beijing, it remains the largest preserved palace complex in the world, almost double the size of the Vatican. The structure follows traditional Chinese design, with the impressive number of 9,999 rooms. In the emperor's time, life inside was strictly organized, with people of different ranks eating from different colored plates. Only the emperor and empress could use gold plates, as yellow was the imperial color. After the last emperor abdicated in 1912, he was confined to the palace until 1924.
The emperors of China once had a second magnificent palace – the Old Summer Palace. Once regarded as one of the wonders of the world, it was destroyed by European forces during the Second Opium War, as a retaliatory measure for the mistreatment of British negotiators.
1. Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace, located in Austria, was once the summer residence of the Hapsburg emperors. The existing structure was finalized by Empress Maria Theresa, the mother of Marie Antoinette. When Mozart was just six years old, he performed for the Empress in the 'hall of mirrors' and even proposed to marry Antoinette. The palace features 1,441 rooms, and its gardens boast a maze that extends over a mile. Despite its numerous rooms, the palace lacked a kitchen, so all cooking was done in a separate building, with food delivered by servants.
