From Versailles and Top Κapi to the Hawa Mahal and the Forbidden City of Beijing, these impressive palaces are unique monuments of history, culture and architectural harmony.
10) Pena National Palace, Portugal
The Pena National Palace (Palácio da Pena) is located on a hilltop above the town of Sintra and on a clear day can easily be seen even from Lisbon. This colorful palace is one of the most important expressions of 19th century romance in the world, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.
9) Alhambra, Granada, Spain
The ornate palace of the Moorish monarchs, The “Red Fort” as it is known, occupies a hill on the southeastern boundary of the city. It was built in the 14th century and is an excellent example of Islamic architecture. Along with the Generalife Summer Palace and the old Arab neighborhood of the city are included in the world heritage sites by UNESCO.
8) Topkapi, Istanbul, Turkey
Built on a hill overseeing the Bosphorus, Topkapi was the official residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire from the mid-15th century until the construction of the Dolma Bahce Palace (1853). Its construction dates back a few years after the conquest of Istanbul by Muhammad II. Since 1924 it has been a museum and is one of the major attractions of the city. In addition to historical buildings, its collections include works of ceramics, Islamic calligraphy, manuscripts, textiles, artifacts, treasures of the Sultans, as well as Islamic relics of great value. The main parts of the palace are the Imperial gate, the four courtyards and the harem. For more information about the palace and the city click here.
7) Noisvanstein Castle, Germany
It is located in the Bavarian Alps and was built at his personal expense by Louis II in the 19th century as his personal retreat. Schloss Neuschwanstein is a fantastic imitation of a medieval castle, and every year receives over a million visitors! It could not leave Disney unmoved, who was looking for inspiration for the fairytale castle of Sleeping Beauty!
6) Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
The incredible palace-fortress was built in 1782 and was the residence of Thai kings for 150 years! Although the current King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is staying at the Chitralada Palace. The Grand Palace is still used in special ceremonies and events. It consists of many buildings, courtyards and gardens.
5) Mysore Palace, India
The city of Mysore in the south of the country is considered the "city of palaces", but only the most impressive could bear its name. It is considered one of the most modern palaces in the world, as its construction was completed only in 1912. It is the official residence of the former royal family of the city, Wadiyar, who ruled Mysore from 1399 to 1947. It is the second most famous landmark in India, after the Taj Mahal.
4) Forbidden City, Beijing
This extremely impressive complex of buildings is located in the center of Beijing and for almost 500 years has been the residence of 24 emperors and their officials. Its construction, completed in 1420, took 14 years and over a million workers when the Ming Dynasty was in power. It consists of 980 buildings, while the walls that surround it are 7.9 meters high and 6 meters wide. In fact, since 1987, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was the setting for the biographical film "The Last Emperor" (1987), the first film to receive permission from the government to shoot in the Forbidden City. Today it houses the Palace Museum.
3) Potala Palace, Tibet
The construction of this amazing palace was started in 1645 by the 5th Dalai Lama and comprises thirteen floors with over 1,000 rooms and 200,000 statues. The exterior construction was done in three years, while the interior along with the furnishings and decoration took forty-five years to complete. The palace is named after a mountain of India, from where according to Buddhism, the mythical deity-patroness of Tibet, the Avalokitesvara or Chenresik, originated. It was the seat of the Tibetan government, and also the Winter Palace for every Dalai Lama, until the Chinese invasion in 1959.
2) Palace Of Versailles, France
It is probably the most famous palace in the world and has become synonymous with opulence and magnificence. It was converted in 1682 from a hunting lodge to a palace under the orders of Louis the 14th, known for its immensely luxurious life. Then the Great Room of the King and Queen and the dazzling Hall of Mirrors were made. From wherever you look at the Palace of Versailles you will see an architectural spectacle with gardens that are truly breathtaking. For more information about the palace and the city click here.
1) Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
The "palace of the winds" as it is called, is located in the heart of Jaipur, the famous pink city of India. It was built in 1798 and has the shape of a pyramid with 953 windows, designed so that the women of the palace can observe the movement in the city without seeing them from the outside.
