Aerial Shot of Palace and Water TerracesBlenheim Palace
Is there a bigger statement of architectural power than building your own palace to call home? Over the centuries, royalty and imperial power around the world has seen fit to construct these lavish and opulent buildings for themselves.
Water Terraces and CafeBlenheim Palace
Whatever your opinion of royal or imperial governance, it's hard to argue with the cultural legacy this left in the form of some of the world's most iconic buildings. Even though few remain as homes today, these palaces can tell us a great deal about how power was once organized.
Akasaka Palaces
Akasaka Palace - Tokyo, Japan
This vast complex was originally built as the Imperial Palace for the Crown Prince in 1909. It has since been designated as an official accommodation for visiting state dignitaries by the Government of Japan. Not a bad place to stay if you're visiting the country.
In 2009 the palace was designated as a National Treasure of Japan. The building has 15,000 square meters of floor space but, perhaps unusually for Japan, the main building was designed in a Neo-Baroque Western style to resemble The Hofburg Palace.
Palaces were built to be imposing, the physical embodiment of power and control. The latest building techniques were used and no expense was spared in making the designs as opulent as possible. After all, they literally needed to be fit for a king.
Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles - Versailles, France
Originally built by Louis XIII in 1624 as a hunting lodge, the palace was expanded by his son Louis XIV in 1669. He used it as a location for his secret meetings with his mistress Louise de la Valliere.
The palace boasts 700 rooms, 2,000 windows, 1,250 fireplaces, and almost 70 staircases. All of this is set in more than 1,800 acres of stunning parkland. However, it has not been used as a home since Napoleon Bonaparte used it as a summer residence from 1810 to 1814.
Palaces weren't just designed to be grand and imposing on the outside. The interiors were an opportunity to show off the occupant's taste and display wealth to the select few lucky enough to be invited in.
National Palace
National Palace - Mexico City, Mexico
This former royal residence is located on the city's main square, the Plaza de la Constitución, also known as El Zócalo. The site has been a home for Mexico's ruling classes since the days of the Aztec Empire, and was bought from the Cortes family by the Spanish Crown in 1562.
The palace has not been used as a home since Mexico gained its independence from Spain and now houses a number of government ministries. The interiors are also decorated with murals by some of Mexico's most famous artists, including Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.
As well as being imposing and grand, palaces have also given royals and their architects the opportunity to really push the envelope in terms of architectural design, often creating iconic structures.
The Orangery, Estate of Versailles by Jules Hardoin-MansardPalace of Versailles
Want to know more about the Palace of Versailles?
Then you can take your own personal guided tour here.
