The interior of palaces and expensive houses. The largest palaces in the world

At all times, people strived for prosperity, and kings and emperors lived in special luxury. The mansions that they once occupied have now acquired the status of museums and annually receive millions of tourists. We present you the most great palaces in the world that have survived to our time.

Palace of the Sultan of Istana-Nurul-Iman in Brunei Darussalam

The building combines Islamic architecture and modern decoration. The palace has 1778 rooms and several throne rooms. All rooms are illuminated by 51,000 lamps, connected by 18 elevators and 44 stairs. The Sultan's palace is completely decorated with gold accessories and fittings: even the buttons on the air conditioners and brushes for the bathroom are made of precious metal. Any visitor can get into the palace, but, according to Muslim traditions, only at the end of the month of Ramadan.

Royal Palace in Stockholm

Stockholm Palace was erected on the foundations of the medieval castle "Three Crowns" (Tre Kronor) of the middle of the XIII century, destroyed by fire in 1697. The new palace was built for 57 years, until 1754: at that time it was the largest building project in all of Europe. The royal chambers are made in different styles: from Rococo, Baroque and Gustavian neo-classicism to eclectic styles of the 19th century. The editors of the site also invite you to learn about the most expensive residential buildings in the world.

The Purple Forbidden City in Beijing

The “Forbidden City” got its name due to limited access to its territory during the time of the empire, and even in the 19th century, almost all foreigners were forbidden to enter there. Restrictions were lifted only in 1900, when the Boxer, or Yihetuan, uprising was suppressed in Beijing against foreign interference in the economy, domestic politics and religious life of China in 1898-1901. At first, the uprising enjoyed the support of the Chinese authorities, but then Empress Cixi went over to the side of the Eight Powers Alliance, which crushed the uprising.

Documentary about the Forbidden Purple City

The Forbidden City had unique characteristics for its time: the vast complex had no chimneys. Initially, it was heated using a heating system located under the floor of buildings. They also heated with braziers with charcoal, which, when burned, did not emit smoke and smell.

Royal Palace in Amsterdam

For the construction of the castle, about 14 thousand wooden piles were laid in the foundation, while the walls were erected from yellow sandstone brought from Germany. Three floors are decorated with a dome with a weather vane, which is made in the form of a sea vessel. Inside the palace is decorated with marble. The central hall impresses with its size: the height of the ceilings there is 27.5 meters, and on the floor you can see images of the earth's hemispheres.

Now numerous galleries and halls exhibit paintings by Dutch artists: Govert Flinck, Rembrandt, Jacob Jordaens, Ferdinand Bol, Jan Lievens. By the way, it was for this palace that Rembrandt made his largest canvas, The Conspiracy of Julius Civilis, but it was not accepted and replaced by the unfinished painting by Govert Flink.

Grand Royal Palace in Bangkok

The building is divided into two parts, one for prayers and religious ceremonies, and the other for receptions. By order of Rama I, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the so-called personal royal temple, was built here. The statue of Buddha Izmazad - the mascot of the dynasty of kings of Thailand - was made by them whole piece stone and three special golden robes. Three times a year the king changes his mantle at the statue.

One of the most beautiful palaces in the world, the Grand Palace was completed in 1783. At the same time, the palace was erected in a record short time - in a year. Since that time, Rama I and subsequent rulers lived and worked in the Grand Royal Palace. The castle has an area of ​​more than 218 square meters and is surrounded by a wall of 1900 meters.

Winter Palace in St. Petersburg

Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to St. Petersburg every year

The Winter Palace and Palace Square form a stunning beauty architectural ensemble modern city and are one of the main objects of domestic and international tourism.
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Palaces are large residences of royalty and representatives of the highest nobility.
They are intended primarily to demonstrate influence and their own greatness. The rich and powerful have the opportunity and means to perpetuate their individuality in architecture. The world today is simply dotted with spectacular grandiose palaces.

Forum-Grad presents the ten most luxurious palaces ever erected on earth.

10. Incomparable Palace

Henry VIII, a man who zealously revered his own power, could not reconcile himself to the idea that he was a less powerful monarch than his continental rivals. The palaces he inherited were connected to the dark deeds of his predecessors, so he decided to build one that would be in keeping with royal status.
This residence was created to be the jewel in the crown of Renaissance architecture. No building was like it in the whole world. Therefore, Henry decided to call his palace NonSuch (Incomparable).
The cost of it was absolutely stunning, and the results exceeded all expectations of the monarch. It was the greatest castle in Britain from 1538 to 1682. Today, almost nothing remains of it, except for fragments that were used to build other buildings.

9.Domus Aurea - Golden House of Nero

Domus Aurea is a palace complex with parks that belonged to the Roman emperor Nero. This is the largest residence of the monarch that has ever existed in Europe.

In overcrowded Rome ancient city on earth, there was little free space for the construction of magnificent palaces. However, after a devastating fire in 64 A.D. BC, which destroyed most of the aristocratic region on the Palatine Hill, construction began on the palace of the Golden House of Nero. The word "palace" comes from the name "Palatina".

Nero's detractors, who, unfortunately for him, wrote history books, tell us that the monarch rejoiced at a time when the land around Rome burned. If this was true, it was only because he knew that the destruction of buildings would make it possible to claim enough land to build a palace worthy of himself.

Domus Aurea occupied a huge space, at least 400 thousand square meters. meters of the city, and included in the complex large swimming pool and farm estates to give the impression of a rural idyll that many Romans longed for.

The palace was dominated by rooms with exquisite frescoes, the entire residence was covered with gold, decorated with precious stones and ivory. On the shore of the man-made lake stood a 12-meter bronze statue of Nero. The territory was buried in gardens, and many miracles were created in the palace itself. For example, in one of the dining rooms a rotating ceiling was built, which made it possible to observe the movement of the stars without leaving the building.

When the monarch saw that the construction was completed, he exclaimed with his typical understatement: "Finally, I can live like a man!"

Golden Domus Aurea was called because of the gilded dome, which was first used in Rome, not only in the temple building. In addition, the walls and ceiling (vaults) were decorated with magnificent mosaics, which in the future will be widely used in the temples of Byzantium.

After his death, the residence was transferred to public use. The emperor's successors sought to wipe the palace off the face of the earth. The colossal statue of Nero was later removed from its site and melted down. The magnificent building is almost completely destroyed. On the site of the lake, an arena was built, which has come down to our time and is called the Colosseum.

Today, more than thirty underground halls have been restored and given to tourists.

“There is a danger of collapses, the Domus Aurea must be closed immediately!” Italian Minister for Cultural Values ​​Rocco Buttiglione recently announced. "Rome," he said, big museum under open sky. Italy must … deal with its vast cultural heritage.”

Alhambra (which in Arabic Al Hamra means "Red Castle") is located in Grenada and is one of the best magnificent architectural structures Spain.

This name, most likely, indicates the color of the brick from which the walls of the castle were laid. This ancient mosque and fortress, built by Moorish rulers to defend against Muslim invaders in the 14th century, served as the seat of government for several of the Sultans of Grenada. The architectural monument was made in a typical Moorish style and decorated with complex ornaments.

A notable feature of the castle is the use of indoor parks, gardens and fountains, which create a feeling of lightness throughout the complex - an innovation completely unknown to European architecture of the time. But the main feature that most impresses modern visitors is the skillful refinement in the most intricate details. The domed roof of the Hall of Abencerrages, for example, is decorated with over five thousand carvings.

Later, when the re-conquest of Spain by the Christians took place, the castle, having undergone some changes, was used by the Spanish royal family.

Winter in St. Petersburg was the official residence for the tsars and emperors of Russia. It was created by the great architect Rastrelli in 1762.

The palace has over 1,500 rooms, the largest of which could accommodate 10,000 people.

The most luxurious in terms of decoration can be called the Romanov Gallery with portraits of the reigning persons of the Romanov dynasty. The St. George Hall is notable for the fact that it has a golden throne with the imperial coat of arms, and it is decorated with magnificent beauty of chandeliers and marble columns. The winter garden of the palace was fragrant with many tropical plants that coexisted with local and northern trees.

The width of the facade is about 250 meters. The huge royal chambers have 1786 doors, 117 stairs and 1945 windows.

Under Nicholas I, the building was subjected to an unprecedented fire. The magnificent decoration of a high-ranking residence has perished. The fire took away an entire era from the history of Russia. A year and a half later, the revival of the Winter Palace began. The architect had to not only restore, but also expand it in a short time, emphasizing the highest power of the Russian Empire.

The Large and Small Throne Rooms, the Armorial Hall, the gallery were restored. Patriotic War 1812, Malachite drawing room, the interior of which has survived to this day.

During the revolution of 1917, Russian history changed dramatically forever - the entire royal family was shot. The Provisional Government was located in Zimny, and after the assault on the night of October 25-26, it was brutally looted. And only on October 30, 1917, the new government declared the Winter Museum a State Museum.

6. Blenheim Palace (Blenheim)

This is one of the largest palaces in the UK, which, in fact, has never been a royal house. It was built between 1705 and 1724 and was the family home of the Dukes of Marlborough. This is the largest palace and park complex in England, located on the outskirts of Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

It was presented to the first duke who distinguished himself in the War of the Spanish Succession. One of the largest private estates in Britain, this was the home of Winston Churchill, a descendant of the duke who was born within its walls in 1874.

Today, the Marlborough heir and his family occupy the entire east wing of this luxurious estate.

Nowadays, tourists can visit the sights of the palace. As an added bonus, the duke who now lives there often wanders around the area and chats with visitors.

5. Potala Palace (Potala)

The history of this estate dates back to the 7th century, when the local ruler ordered to erect in the center of the city of Lhasa (in Tibet), on Red Mountain, a magnificent royal house, which was also a temple Buddhist complex. The word "Potala" itself is translated from Sanskrit as " mystic mountain". This is the highest castle in the world - 115 meters, located at 3700 meters above sea level. The building is divided into 13 floors, occupying a total area of ​​over 130,000 square meters. meters. And the entire palace ensemble spread over 360 thousand square meters. meters.

No one knows the exact data on the number of halls and rooms available here. They say that their number is about more than a thousand, and very few people will be found who can get around them all. The Potala Palace has been included in the UN World Heritage Book. This place in Tibet is open to tourists. To fully examine its values ​​and relics, even a few lives will not be enough ...

Today it is a functioning museum, where the monks support the work of the entire historical ensemble. majestic building divided into the White and Red Palaces, which were built in different time. An incalculable amount of stone, gold, wood and precious stones were spent on the construction. Some of the heritage presented in the Potala can be seen in these photographs.

The Tokyo Palace Complex is a private representation of the emperors of Japan after moving to the Japanese capital from Kyoto. Though it can perhaps be called the least visually impressive palace on this list as it only has two floors. Despite this, it is the most important attraction in the capital of Japan. Its cost is many times more than in the US the entire state of California. The area of ​​the castle, together with the gardens, is 7.41 square meters. kilometers.

During the Edo period, it was the residence of the shoguns. That is why it used to be called Edo Castle. It is surrounded by an old park, high fortress walls and moats filled with water. All this was intended to protect the castle of the emperor, who was considered the vicegerent of God on earth, from the hustle and bustle of the modern populous metropolis.

It is also interesting that the ensemble is built in several styles. Some of its buildings are made in European architectural style, while others are purely Japanese.

It was once the summer home of the Habsburg emperors and is located on the west side of the capital Vienna. It was completed in its current form during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette. Mozart at the age of six played his compositions for the Empress in the Hall of Mirrors, and later asked her permission to marry Antoinette.

The palace has more than 1440 rooms, 40 of which are allowed for tourists, and a huge labyrinth of gardens one and a half kilometers long. The territory is located the most old zoo in the world, founded in 1752. Despite the large number of rooms, there was no kitchen within the palace. All food preparation was done in another building, and servants carried food to the main building.

For 500 years, these buildings belonged to Chinese emperors. They are located in the center of Beijing and are the largest of the surviving palace ensembles in the world - more than twice the size of the Vatican. Its total area is 720 thousand square meters. kilometers. The complex was built in the traditional Chinese style and, according to legend, contains about 9999 rooms.

Life in the Forbidden City was highly regulated during the time of the emperors: for example, people of different strata had to eat from bowls of different colors. Golden (yellow) bowls were only allowed to the emperor and empress.

After the abdication of the last emperor in 1912, he was within the city until 1924. Magnificent Old summer palace was supposedly one of the wonders of the world that the Europeans destroyed during the Second Opium War as punishment for torturing British negotiators.

1. Versailles (Versailles).

The Palace of Versailles, located near Paris, was originally a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII in 1632. His successor Louis XIV decided in 1661 to expand it and turn it into a sparkling, magnificent royal castle. To do this, they drained 800 hectares of marshland, built a grandiose tower, planted gardens, alleys, flower beds, created fountains, lakes on 100 hectares of the territory surrounding the palace complex. Then Versailles became synonymous with luxury.

30,000 workers participated in the construction. A huge amount of money was spent, only 10,500 tons of silver. Modern experts translated this money into the current currency and came up with a figure equal to 259.56 billion euros, despite the fact that the construction was carried out in a austerity regime.

From 1666 the castle served as the residence of the kings of France until 1789. When, at the request of the Parisian intelligentsia and the nobility, the king moved to live in Paris, Versailles ceased to be the administrative center of the country. In 1801, it was declared a museum and opened to tourists. Versailles is also known as the place where the peace treaty was signed, thanks to which the First World War ended and Civil War in USA.

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Visiting a real palace is a dream of every enthusiastic tourist. The beautiful palaces of the world open their doors to us, allowing us to touch the history and feel the greatness of a particular country. Many residences of the powerful of this world are limited for walking - rulers still sit in them today. Others have become museums, and here it is allowed to examine every pebble.

former residence French kings - Versailles- is a must-see for those who decide to visit in Paris. The first stone of the palace was laid in the 16th century, by order of King Louis XIV, who was given the nickname "Sun King". The palace remembers many historical events- the signing of international treaties, the adoption of laws, the negotiations of the rulers. Today, Versailles is a huge architectural and park complex, with alleys, promenades and even a canal system. Anyone can visit it, simply by purchasing an entrance ticket.

Versailles, Paris

Royal Palace in Bangkok (Grand Palace)- a symbol of the greatness of Thai rulers and a place of pilgrimage for numerous tourists. Significant state events are still taking place here, but the complex is also open for visits. The palace was built in the 18th century, during the reign of King Rama I. This is a real fabulous city, with gilded and painted buildings in oriental style. Here is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha - a Buddhist shrine and a delightful example of architecture.

Royal Palace, Bangkok

Tower of London- a cult place of the capital of Great Britain. The construction of the palace began during the time of William the Conqueror in the 10th century AD. and ended only in the 16th century. majestic building has a difficult history - the palace was not only the residence of kings, but also a mint, a zoo and even a prison. Today, tourists can get acquainted with the main premises of the Tower and even walk along the wall of the fortifications.

Tower of London

There is another one in London, no less majestic palace- Buckingham. You can’t get into the palace - the queen works here today. However, you can admire the changing of the guards, and blooming park located in Buckingham.

Buckingham Palace, London

Winter Palace in St. Petersburg- a well-known haven of Russian rulers. The magnificent creation of the architect Rastrelli was born in 1762. The facade of the palace is also unusually beautiful, as well as its interior decoration. Today in the Winter Palace there is a museum - the Small Hermitage.

Winter Palace, St. Petersburg

The Summer Palace of the Chinese Emperors is located in Beijing.. It is called "Summer" because it originally served as a place for the royal family to relax in the summer. The palace was built in 1750, during the reign of the Qing Dynasty. Legend has it that Empress Cixi spent beautiful palace money raised to develop the country's navy.

Summer Palace, Beijing

Determining the world's largest palace is quite difficult, since many countries use different standards by which they consider their palaces to be the largest. In fact, even the very definition of a palace is quite ambiguous.

Some sources claim that the palace was supposed to serve as a royal residence at least once, while another commonly used definition states that the palace is the official residence of a ruler, head of state (monarch or president), archbishop or bishop.

However, despite these disagreements, there is a generally accepted classification of the largest palaces in the world, and you can familiarize yourself with it in this post.

From the Royal Palace in Brussels to the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, here are the 25 largest palaces in the world!

25. Royal Palace of Brussels, Belgium

Situated in front of the Brussels Park in the center of the Belgian capital, the Royal Palace is the official residence of the King and Queen of Belgium. Built in neoclassical architectural style, the palace has an area of ​​over 33,000 sq. m.

24. Mafra National Palace, Mafra, Portugal


Mafra National Palace is a monumental baroque and Italianized neoclassical palace-monastery located in the Portuguese city of Mafra. In 1910 announced national monument The palace covers an area of ​​almost 40,000 sq. m.

23. Grand Serail, Beirut, Lebanon


Also known as the Government Palace, the Grand Palace is the headquarters of the Lebanese Prime Minister. Built in 1853, it is an important historical building and a stunning example of Ottoman architecture. The palace has an area of ​​40,000 sq. m.

22. Hampton Court Palace, Richmond Upon Thames, UK


One of the most significant palaces in the UK, Hampton Court is 1,000 rooms, 60 acres (almost 24 hectares) of English gardens and 750 acres (about 303.5 hectares) of royal park. Originally built as a royal palace, it is now open to the general public. Hampton Court has an area of ​​47.330 sq. m.

21. Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark


Seat of the Danish Parliament, Prime Minister's Office and Supreme Court, Christiansborg Palace has more than 800 years of history as the center of state power as a royal palace and parliament. Completed in 1928, it covers an area of ​​51.660 sq. m.

20. Windsor Castle, Windsor, UK


Built in the 11th century after Norman conquest England, Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world, as well as the longest occupied royal palace in Europe. Being interesting combination original gothic elements with Victorian architecture design, the castle covers an area of ​​55.000 sq. m.

19. Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia


nestled between Palace embankment and Palace Square in the central part of St. Petersburg, the Winter Palace from 1732 to 1917 was the official residence of Russian emperors. Built on a monumental scale to reflect the might of Tsarist Russia, the palace covers an area of ​​60,000 sq. m.

18. Royal Palace of Caserta (Palace of Caserta), Caserta, Italy


Located in Caserta, in southern Italy, the Royal Palace was built for the Bourbons in the second half of the 18th century. Listed world heritage UNESCO in 1997, the Royal Palace of Caserta is the largest royal palace in the world in terms of volume (2.000.000 cubic meters) and 18th in area (61.000 square meters).

17. Stockholm Royal Palace (Royal Palace of Stockholm), Stockholm, Sweden


Located on the island of Stadholmen (Stockholm), Stockholm Palace is the official residence and main royal palace of the Swedish monarchy. The palace has 1430 rooms and has an area of ​​61.210 square meters. m.

16. Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France


Located 20 kilometers southwest of the central part of the French capital, the Palace of Versailles was the seat of French political power from 1682 to 1789 (until the royal family was forced to return to the capital after the outbreak of the French Revolution). Known as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy, the palace covers an area of ​​67,000 sq. m.

15. Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey


Built in the 15th century, Topkapı Palace was one of the main residences of the Turkish sultans for almost 400 years. At its peak, the palace was home to 4,000 people. Today it serves as a museum and a major tourist attraction in Turkey. The palace has an area of ​​70,000 sq. m.

14. Prague Castle(Prague Castle), Prague, Czech Republic


Dating back to the 9th century, Prague Castle is one of the oldest and largest royal palaces in the world. It was the seat of government for the kings of Bohemia, the Holy Roman Emperors and the presidents of Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic. Attracting 1.8 million tourists annually, the palace covers an area of ​​70,000 sq. m.

13. Buckingham Palace, London, UK


Located in Westminster in Central London, Buckingham Palace is the London seat and administrative headquarters of the ruling monarchy of the United Kingdom. The palace has 775 rooms, a large garden of 40 acres (almost 16 hectares) and has an area of ​​77,000 square meters. m.

12. Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, India


Translated meaning "like the sky" or "mirror of the sky", Falaknuma is large palace located in Hyderabad, the capital of the Indian state of Telangana. Completed in 1893, the palace is now used as a hotel. It covers an area of ​​94.000 sq. m.

11. Quirinal Palace, Rome, Italy


Situated on the Quirinal Hill, the highest of the seven hills of Rome, the Quirinal Palace was once papal palace and is now the official residence of the President of Italy. It was home to 30 popes, 4 kings of Italy and 12 presidents of Italy. With an area of ​​110.500 sq. m, it is 20 times larger than the White House in Washington.

10. Royal Palace of Madrid (Royal Palace of Madrid), Madrid, Spain


Completed in 1755, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family, but is used only for state ceremonies. With an incredible number of rooms - 3148 - it is currently the largest in Europe functioning palace. Its area is 135.000 sq. m.

9. Castle in Malbork (Malbork Castle), Poland


Originally erected as a fortress by the Teutonic Knights, the German spiritual and knightly order of the Crusaders, Malbork Castle served as one of several Polish royal residences. Today, the castle hosts exhibitions and houses a museum. With an area of ​​143.000 sq. m, it is the 9th largest palace in the world.

8. Forbidden City, Beijing, China


The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty (1420 to 1912). Located in the center of Beijing, it served as the home of the emperors and their household, as well as a ceremonial and political center. Chinese government. It consists of 980 individual buildings and has a total area of ​​150,000 sq. m.

7. Apostolic Palace, Vatican


Located in the Vatican, the Apostolic Palace is the official residence of the Pope. The building houses the Pontifical Apartments, various institutions of the Roman Catholic Church, private and public chapels, the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Library. The total area of ​​the palace is 162,000 sq. m.

6. Istana Nurul Iman, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei


Completed in 1984, the $1.5 billion palace is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei and the seat of the government of Brunei. After its completion, Istana Nurul Iman became the world's largest residential palace ever built. It has an area of ​​200.000 sq. m.

5. Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, India


Formerly known as the residence of the Viceroy, Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official home of the President of India. Located at the western end of the ceremonial Rajpath Avenue in New Delhi, the palace has a total area of ​​200,000 sq. m, making it the 5th largest palace in the world.

4. Aksaray, Ankara, Turkey


Located in Ankara, Aksaray is presidential palace Turkey. It has at least 1150 rooms, there are additional guest houses, Botanical Garden, a park, a convention center, an operational headquarters with satellite and military communications systems, as well as bunkers capable of withstanding the use of biological, nuclear and chemical weapons. The palace has an area of ​​200.000 sq. m.

3. Louvre Palace, Paris, France


Originally acting as a fortress built in medieval period, the Louvre became a royal palace in the 14th century under Charles V, and was occasionally used by the kings of France as their main Parisian residence. Today, most of the building is used as a museum. The palace covers an area of ​​210,000 sq. m.

2. Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria


Built in the 13th century and greatly expanded since then, the Hofburg is a former imperial palace that has housed some of the most powerful people in European and Austrian history, including the Habsburg monarchs and the rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The palace has 2600 rooms and has an area of ​​240,000 sq. m.

1. Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest, Romania


Located in the central part of Bucharest, the Palace of the Parliament is the seat of the Romanian Parliament. As the largest palace in the world, it is also the heaviest building in the world, the second largest administrative building in the world, and the fourth largest building in the world. The palace has an area of ​​330.000 sq. m.
photos: wikipedia.org