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The palaces that have survived to this day symbolize not only the royal, royal or church authorities of the past, but also the cultural level of development of our ancestors. This also applies to architecture, technology, painting, sculpture, and so on. Despite the past times, the buildings of the palaces still stand as monoliths (to the note of the current builders), grateful descendants spare no effort and money to maintain the palaces in their original form.
Every year, millions of tourists visit the most famous and majestic (and not so) palace complexes, which are enough, including in Russia. The new tourist season is just around the corner and today we offer you to get acquainted with a selection of the most beautiful palaces in the world located in different parts of the globe.
10 Himeji
Castle Himeji is located in the city of the same name in Japan and belongs to the architectural monuments of the Japanese Middle Ages. The complex today has about 83 buildings, most of which are made of wood, but all of them are perfectly preserved to this day. The castle is adjacent to the amazing beauty of the Koko-En landscape garden. In the complex itself, tourists can enjoy the art of woodcarving by ancient Japanese masters.
The exhibition halls of the complex offer real ancient samurai armor for viewing, and it is easy to get lost in the bizarre labyrinths of gardens. Scientists are still arguing why the ancient Japanese planted gardens with a lot of puffins. The same applies to the entire complex of buildings: despite the seeming “airiness” and “decorativeness” from the outside, everything becomes “ominous” inside, dozens of stairs constantly change their direction, and it is also easy to get lost on the upper floors. The cost to visit Himeji is $9.
9. Valya
majestic castle Valya is located 7 kilometers from the town of Køge in Denmark. Tourist guides around the country indicate this architectural monument as a must-see. Tourists can admire the creation of ancient architects only from the outside, since, according to the established tradition, the castle is residential. But even from the street there is something to admire for connoisseurs of antiquity and the Middle Ages.
The style of the European Middle Ages is manifested in everything here: high towers, stunning stained-glass windows and arches. On the territory of the complex there is a century-old park of a large area. The advantage of visiting Valle Castle is the opportunity for everyone to have a picnic anywhere in this picturesque park. Excursions are not provided, but visits are allowed from early morning until sunset. There is no charge to visit the castle.
8. mysore palace
The attraction is located in the town of Mysore, Karnataka in India. mysore palace was the residence of the Wodeyar royal family. Despite the colonial past, the Indians are very fond of this monument and honor it. Yes, and tourists from all over the world flock here: the palace is considered the second attraction of the country to visit after the Taj Mahal, up to 4 million tourists come here every year.
In fact, visitors do not see the same palace that came to us from antiquity. The complex itself was built in the 14th century, but it was constantly destroyed for one reason or another. Now we have access to the “option” of the palace from 1897, when it was built according to the drawings and drawings of the ancient Indians. And in 1940, the building of the palace was restored, and in this form it can be seen today.
The palace and park complex has 17 objects, among other things, here we will find marble domes and bizarre arches, 40-meter towers, stone “laces” and sculptures of Hindu gods. The cost of visiting is $50.
7. Potala
The most grandiose Tibetan temple and palace complex is located in Lhasa in China. This is a monumental high-altitude building. Previously, the residence of the Dalai Lama was located here. Many scientists call this mountain monument contradictory: on the one hand, the religious teachings of the Dalai Lama call for philanthropy and unity with the outside world, on the other hand, bloody wars were constantly fought in these places.
The Potala houses a mausoleum, an ancient museum and a Tibetan monastery. The museum complex is famous for its unusual sculptures, sacred writings of the ancient Chinese and wall paintings. The palace is 13 meters high and the same area in hectares, and the number of rooms and premises is more than 1000. Since the main purpose Potala It was originally defensive, the thickness of the stone walls here is impressive, about 3 meters. The complex consists of two palaces: Red and White and has a fundamental religious and historical significance for the Tibetans. The cost of visiting is about $50, there are a number of restrictions, for example, on photo and video shooting.
6. Palace of Westminster
The building of the palace is located on the banks of the Thames in the urban area of Westminster in London. The building itself is a newly built and partially restored palace of 1860, that is, it is not an ancient monument in the usual sense. Initially, it was a combination of a wide variety of buildings around the burnt old castle. Then it was possible to save some artifacts and part of the palace. The British restored everything they could, but after a while the Nazi pilots again damaged the complex during the war. However, even then part of the palace survived.
Palace of Westminster is a real symbol of London, and of Britain as a whole, now the government of England is sitting here. The palace has about 1200 rooms and premises, more than 5 km of corridors and 100 stair structures. By the way, anyone can watch the work of the country’s government – just go through a few security checkpoints. According to British tradition, the country’s parliament does not work from August to September, and at this time “civilian” tours are held around the palace. The issue price is from 9 to 21 pounds.
5. Neuschwanstein
The most beautiful building was built in the Bavarian Alps at an altitude of more than 90 meters on the outskirts of the town of Füssen in southern Germany. Every year it is visited by about 1,5 million tourists, which makes it the most popular “royal” monument of architecture in the world. The white-stone building of the castle is decorated with patterned windows and graceful pointed turrets with loopholes. Arched balconies are located on them – all in the style of German architectural architecture.
And although the castle Neuschwanstein it is considered, and indeed it was built as a fortress, there is nothing militant in its appearance. From afar, it generally resembles a fairy-tale scenery for a children’s film. In the design of the ceilings, furniture, stairs of the castle, white swans prevail, they are everywhere here. 12 luxurious royal chambers are available for inspection. The whole atmosphere of the building conveys to us the spirit of romanticism of the 19th century. The cost of visiting will be 13 euros, it is better to buy in advance on the website – there are always queues at the box office at the entrance.
4. Dolmabahce
The stunning and most luxurious palace of Turkey is located in Istanbul, and overlooks the Bosphorus with its 600-meter facade. “If you haven’t been to Dolmabahce “You haven’t been to Istanbul,” say the locals. The building amazes with an abundance of white marble. Masters worked on the creation of the palace – ethnic Armenians who know everything about the Rococo style. The interiors largely repeat those of Versailles, and some of the official chambers of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire still sometimes perform their functions.
For the convenience of tourists, a new excursion group is organized every 15 minutes, but you should hurry: according to tradition, 1500 visitors a day are accepted in total. As soon as this figure is reached, the palace is closed. The cost of visiting is from 10 to 120 Turkish lira.
3. Peterhof Palace
“Cascade” of the palace and park ensemble Peterhof Palace considered the pearl of St. Petersburg and Russia. This recognized monument of world architecture and architecture has dozens of fountains on its “balance”, and the waters emitted by it are a real “rainbow extravaganza”. Tourists are greeted by the brilliant interiors of several historical eras at once – Peter I, Elizabeth and Nicholas I. Peterhof Palace was the most luxurious residence of Russian tsars.
The complex is divided into several zones, which include the Lower Park, the Upper Garden, museums, the Grand Palace and much more. But most of all, visitors are attracted by the unique system of fountains, which operate on the principle of communicating vessels without the use of pumps. Here you can visit the royal enclosures, watch water shows. Depending on the place of visit, the entrance can be both paid and free. The minimum ticket price is 450 rubles, the maximum (full) price is 1500 rubles.
2. Palace of Versailles
Luxurious palace and park ensemble Palace of Versailles located in the suburbs of Paris in France. In addition to stunning interiors, furniture, paintings by great artists, the complex is also known for its size. At the same time, more than 20 visitors can be inside the walls of the palace, which makes it the largest royal building in Europe. The façade alone stretches for 000 meters and overlooks a stunningly beautiful park.
A feature of the palace is also its Hall of Mirrors, which occupies almost the entire lower floor of the main building: an elegant gallery specially divides the room into two salons – “for wars” and “for peace”. The Royal Chapel stands out on the territory of the complex – a stunning monument of Baroque architecture. And from the gilding of the halls and royal chambers, visitors are completely delighted. The price of a visit will be from 8,5 to 27 euros.
1. windsor palace
windsor palace in the small outback, Windsor is another British landmark. It is located in the valley of the River Thames, and for over 10 centuries it has been an unshakable symbol of the British monarchy. The complex is operational, and members of the royal family and the Queen herself often visit here. It is not difficult to understand when Elizabeth II is in the castle: the royal standard will be flying on the large Round Tower at this time.
In the Upper Court, tourists are greeted by buildings dating back to the 13th century, and the royal apartments amaze with real works of art: paintings by world artists, furniture and tapestries, Queen Mary’s doll house, in which the furnishings and objects are recreated in miniature, including plumbing and electricity. The cost of visiting the complex will be from 7,3 to 12,4 pounds.