Derived from the Latin word Palātium, a palace is usually a royal or grand residence of the state head or a dignitary. In some places, such as Europe, a palace may also refer to the private mansion of aristocracy. Many palaces around the world offer ultimate luxury and comfort to their inhabitants. At some point in time, these palaces belonged to kinds and emperors. Now, many of these have been turned into attractive tourist sites. Check out some of the most astonishing palaces around the world that can force anybody to come and stay in them.
Buckingham Palace, London, UK
Since 1837, this grand palace has been serving the British monarchy as their royal residence. The building of the Buckingham Palace was first constructed as a townhouse. It was built in 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham. However, the Duke and Queen of Edinburgh stay here. This palace has witnessed a variety of royal ceremonies and visits by dignitaries. There is a huge staff of around 800 people employed at the Buckingham Palace. This royal palace has 775 rooms, and you can take a tour of the palace during August and September. Its 19 staterooms have an amazing collection of French and English furniture. Royalty reflects in each portion of this beautiful palace.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK
This must-see palace was built in the 18th century. Queen Anne had gifted this palace at that time to the Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill. Since then, the palace has been passed on to further generations of the Duke of Marlborough. Currently, the palace is serving as the residence to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. The most famous event that happened at the Blenheim Palace was the birth of Winston Churchill in 1874. This palace is situated on parkland of about 2,000 acres, and its hedge maze and wonderful gardens are famous among the tourists. You can also visit its staterooms to check out unique portraits and tapestries.
Palace of Versailles, France
The roots of this palace are in the 11th century, while it was given a refreshing look in 1624 on the orders of the French king, Louis XIII. Louis XIV ordered further expansion. In 1682, the Palace of Versailles became a residence of three kings from the official French government. Now, the monarchy system does not exist in France. However, you may still revisit the history in the palace’s Museum of the History of France. The palace consists of 700 rooms that are enough to keep visitors exploring it for hours. There is a War Salon displaying trophies and beautiful bronze carvings. Marble panels cover its walls. This ravishing palace has the ability to attract anybody to make it his/her home.
Tokyo Imperial Palace, Japan
Located in the Chiyoda district, Tokyo, Imperial Palace serves as the residence of the Japanese Emperor. Built in 1868, this palace reflects itself as a paradise. There is a water-filled moat surrounding the palace. In addition, there are beautiful grounds that are all filled with pruned trees. The palace has two gardens, which are Kokyo Higashi Gyoen and Kokyo Gaien. You can have a free visit to these gardens if you wish to observe beautiful cherry blossoms, azaleas, and other seasonal flowers. There is also a museum to visit, which is known as the Sannomaru-Shozo-kan museum. The emperor’s special collection of paintings and kimonos is another reason to witness this marvelous palace.
Winter Palace, St Petersburg, Russia
With 1,057 rooms and halls, the Winter Palace offers a lot to check out. Built in 1762, this palace was originally developed for Empress Elizabeth who unfortunately died during the time of construction. Later, it became a residence for Russian tsars. The palace is no longer inhabited and has been converted into the largest art gallery in Russia. People generally visit its Hermitage Museum and the gallery’s 2.7 million exhibits.
Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul
The Dolmabahce Palace was built in 1844 using huge amounts of gold and silver. 300 rooms in the palace offer ultimate luxury. The palace building also has six Turkish baths. The world’s largest collection of Baccarat and Bohemian crystal chandeliers is present in this marvelous palace. Its central hall itself has about 750 lights. Some parts of the palace provide access to public for visiting purposes.
Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria
In the 14th century, when this palace came into existence, it was part of a monastery named Klosterneuburg. The ownership of this palace has exchanged several hands in the past. However, the royal family of Austria acquired it in the 17th century. Later, it was expanded to include a zoo in 1752. The monarchy still lives in some portions of this palace, but you can visit baroque gardens and staterooms. There are guided tours available to take you through it all.