Best Palace

Occupying a palace-centered museum complex in Saint Petersburg, the State Hermitage combines major art collections with the setting of Russia's imperial court. Its holdings encompass more than three million works and cultural objects, ranging from prehistoric material to modern art. The breadth of t...

The Palais du Louvre in Paris records centuries of French history within a single, repeatedly altered complex. Its origins lie in a medieval fortress built around 1190, before successive royal projects transformed it into a palace, notably during the Renaissance. Later additions expanded its courtya...

At the center of Beijing, the Forbidden City preserves a vast complex of Chinese imperial halls and residential compounds. Construction began in the early fifteenth century, and the palace served the Ming and Qing emperors as a residence and political center for roughly five centuries. Its importanc...

Near Saint Petersburg, the Peterhof State Museum-Reserve preserves an imperial ensemble of palaces and gardens associated with Peter the Great and his successors. Development of the main residence began in the 1710s. Baroque architecture and richly decorated interiors form part of its appeal, with l...

Rising from Red Hill above Lhasa in Tibet, China, the Potala Palace combines a monumental residence with spaces central to Tibetan Buddhism. The present complex largely took shape in the seventeenth century and served as the winter residence of successive Dalai Lamas. Its White and Red Palaces refle...

Overlooking the Gulf of Finland near Saint Petersburg, the Grand Peterhof Palace forms the architectural centerpiece of an imperial estate famous for its fountains and gardens. Peter the Great commissioned the original residence, while his daughter, Empress Elizabeth, substantially enlarged and remo...

For centuries, Topkapi Palace combined the Ottoman sultan's home with the work of imperial government. Founded in fifteenth-century Istanbul, it developed as a series of courtyards and specialized buildings rather than one unified palace block. Its role as the principal royal residence continued unt...

Within Seville's historic center, the Alcázar brings together royal buildings and gardens shaped by successive rulers. Its celebrated Mudéjar palace, associated with Pedro I in the fourteenth century, combines Islamic decorative traditions with the requirements of a Christian court. The wider comple...

On Cerro del Sol beside the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, the Generalife combines a Nasrid palace with gardens designed around water and sheltered outdoor spaces. Built primarily during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, it served as a rural retreat for the Muslim rulers of the Emirate of Granad...

Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill organize the Summer Palace, an imperial garden and palace complex in Beijing's Haidian District. Its present form was largely established under the Qing dynasty's Qianlong Emperor in the eighteenth century, although imperial garden use of the site reaches back to the...

The Winter Palace is a Baroque palace situated in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was the primary residence of Russian Tsars from 1735 to 1917 and now contains the State Hermitage Museum. Its historical significance as an imperial center and its impressive architecture make it notable for art historian...

Schönbrunn Palace preserves the setting of Habsburg court life in Vienna, Austria. The Baroque palace became a major imperial summer residence during the eighteenth century, particularly under Maria Theresa, and retained its royal role until the monarchy ended during World War I. Its development fro...

The Apadana was the principal audience hall of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire in present-day Fars Province, Iran. Construction was begun by Darius I in the 6th century BCE and completed by Xerxes I. The hall originally featured 72 columns, of which 13 still stand, suppor...

The Catherine Palace stands as a significant Russian landmark located just outside Pushkin near Saint Petersburg. Constructed initially for Empress Catherine I and substantially remodeled by Catherine the Great, it is renowned for its elaborate Baroque design and the historically important Amber Roo...

Doge’s Palace is a significant 14th-century palace in Venice, Italy. It served as the residence of the Doge, the elected ruler of the Venetian Republic, and functioned as its primary government building. The palace's distinctive Venetian Gothic architecture and extensive collection of artwork make i...

The Palácio Nacional da Pena is a Romanticist palace situated on a hill in the Sintra Mountains of Portugal. Commissioned by King Ferdinand II, construction began in the 1840s on the ruins of a former Hieronymite monastery. The structure blends Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Renaiss...

Château de Fontainebleau is a historic palace located just southeast of Paris, France. Constructed initially in the sixteenth century, it served as a royal residence for numerous French monarchs and exemplifies Renaissance architecture alongside evolving French styles. The château’s extensive ground...

The Palace of Versailles is the quintessential masterpiece of French royal architecture and interior design. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it showcases the opulence of the Bourbon monarchy. Visitors can explore the Hall of Mirrors, the King's Grand Apartments, and the sprawling gardens designed b...

Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, Saint Petersburg developed as an imperial capital and a major port connecting Russia with the Baltic Sea. The federal city stands on the Neva River near the Gulf of Finland. Its historic center is marked by waterways and carefully composed streets, with Baroque pa...

The Royal Palace of Palermo, also known as the Palazzo dei Normanni, is a historical palace in Palermo, Sicily, that served as the seat of the Kings of Sicily during the Norman rule. The structure was built upon earlier Arab fortifications and significantly expanded in the 12th century by Roger II....

Château de Chambord stands as a monumental example of French Renaissance architecture within the Loire Valley. Constructed beginning in 1519 by King François I, the château is notable for its expansive design and the famed double-helix staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci’s involvement. It serv...

The Grand Palace is a historic royal residence located in Bangkok, Thailand. Constructed primarily during the 18th century, it served as the main seat of power and ceremonial center for Thai monarchs. Its extensive complex features intricate architecture and significant artwork reflecting Thai histo...

The Würzburg Residence is a significant 18th-century palace complex situated in Würzburg, Germany. It represents a key example of Baroque architecture, renowned for its grand scale and intricate design. The residence’s most notable feature is the monumental, unsupported vaulted staircase alongside f...

Changdeokgung Palace is one of Seoul’s oldest and most significant Joseon Dynasty royal residences. Constructed in the 15th century, it stands out for its masterful blending of architectural design with surrounding gardens, creating a serene and historically rich environment. The palace remains a va...

Château de Chenonceau is a French château built across the River Cher near Tours. Constructed primarily between the 16th and 17th centuries, it’s notable for its unique architectural design, particularly the bridge gallery added in the 17th century. The palace served as a royal residence and later a...

The Apadana at Persepolis is an ancient palace complex built during the Achaemenid Empire in present-day Iran. It served as a monumental audience hall for the Persian kings, showcasing their power and influence. Constructed by Darius I around 520 BCE, the site’s elaborate relief sculptures and vast...

The Palace of the Popes is a massive Gothic palace located in Avignon, France. It served as the seat of Western Christianity during the Avignon Papacy, hosting a succession of popes from 1309 to 1377. The structure is recognized as one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in E...

Sanssouci Palace, located in Potsdam, Germany, served as King Frederick the Great’s beloved summer residence during the 18th century. Its Rococo architecture and expansive grounds, including notable terraced vineyards, reflect his enlightened rule and artistic sensibilities. The palace remains a sig...

Quinta da Regaleira is a 4-hectare estate in Sintra, Portugal, designed by Italian architect Luigi Manini for wealthy Brazilian owner António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro between 1904 and 1910. The property features a Gothic Revival palace, a chapel, and extensive gardens containing symbolic architectu...