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Feb 5, 2015 · The World’s Most-Visited Castles and Palaces. From Paris to Beijing, these historic castles and palaces draw millions of visitors for a glimpse of the lifestyles of the rich and famous
- sarah.dimarco@hearst.com
- Associate Editor
- Alhambra in Granada, Spain. The Alhambra sits high above the city of Granada as a symbol of Spain's rich history. Ibn al-Aḥmar, the founder of the Naṣrid dynasty, first commissioned the hilltop palace and fortress in 1238.
- Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Construction for Castillo San Felipe del Morro, also known as El Morro, took nearly 250 years to complete.
- Château de Chenonceau in Chenonceaux, France. Surrounded by manicured formal gardens, Château de Chenonceau appears as though it’s elegantly floating over the reflective Cher River.
- Peleș Castle in Sinaia, Romania. Taken by the enchanting Bucegi Mountains, King Carol I commissioned the construction of a neo-Renaissance-style castle in the quaint village of Sinaia during the 1860s.
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- Versailles. WHERE: Versailles, France. The Château de Versailles was originally built as a hunting lodge, but became the opulent palace celebrated in film and literature under Louis XIV, who moved his entire court from Paris to Versailles.
- Palazzo Pitti. WHERE: Florence. The opulent Palazzo Pitti, across the Arno from Florence’s main sights, once housed the dukes of Tuscany and the king of Italy.
- Alhambra. WHERE: Granada, Spain. Poised high above Granada, on Spain’s Costa del Sol, the Alhambra was built in the 13th century for the kings of the Nasrid Dynasty.
- Windsor Castle. WHERE: Windsor, England. Windsor Castle is the only English castle continuously inhabited by the Royal Family since the Middle Ages and the largest inhabited castle in the world.
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- The Forbidden City, Beijing, China. Each day, tens of thousands of visitors pour through the Forbidden City to see the 180-acre walled compound that once shielded the Imperial Palace from public view — while housing Chinese emperors and their extensive entourages.
- The Louvre Museum, Paris, France. The largest and most famous museum in the world — displaying masterpieces like La Gioconda (the Mona Lisa) and the Winged Victory of Samothrace — got its start as a palace.
- Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Royal offices are still used within the Grand Palace, and state visits and royal ceremonies are held there each year. This was also the official residence of Thai kings from 1782 to 1925, with numerous buildings, halls, and pavilions set around open lawns and manicured gardens.
- Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey. Topkapi Palace was a royal residence for about 400 years until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 1920s. Look for the Privy Chamber with its gilded fireplace and walls decorated with blue, white, and coral Iznik tiles from the 16th century.
- Windsor Castle, England. Owned by King Charles III in right of the Crown and operated by the Royal Household, Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, located in Berkshire, England.
- Boldt Castle, New York. Boldt Castle is a historic landmark located on Heart Island in the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River, near Alexandria Bay in New York.
- Hearst Castle, California. Officially known as Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument,Hearst Castle is a grand and opulent mansion located on the central coast of California, and is known for its remarkable architecture, vast art collections, and its connection to the influential newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst.
- Edinburgh Castle, Scotland. Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress located on Castle Rock, a volcanic rock formation in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Sep 12, 2023 · Travel. Tour the World’s 15 Most Opulent Palaces. From Germany to India, these majestic properties haven’t sacrificed an ounce of splendor. By Elizabeth Stamp. September 12, 2023....
1. Palace of Versailles. Château de Versailles, France, or Palace of Versailles is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Paris and is the site of a previous royal house. In 1995, the French Republic acquired the palace, and its French Cultural Ministry has been overseeing it since.
