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The palace at Wat Phra Keaw, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located in Bangkok, Thailand. It was built in 1782 by King Rama I as the royal residence and center of government. The palace complex has undergone several expansions and renovations throughout the years and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. Source: Travel mania / Adobe Stock.

Photographic Marvels: 12 Stunning Historic Palaces You Need to See to Believe

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Throughout history, palaces have been built by various civilizations and kingdoms to showcase the wealth and power of their rulers. These palaces are not only impressive in terms of their size and grandeur but also reflect the unique styles of their respective time periods and regions. From the towering castles of Europe to the elegant palaces of Asia, these historic buildings offer a window into the past and the lifestyles of the aristocracy and royalty who once inhabited them. Today, many of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels, and tourist attractions, allowing visitors to experience the splendor and opulence of a bygone era.

Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds, is a famous palace located in Jaipur, the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as an extension of the City Palace. The palace's unique facade features 953 small windows and screens, which allowed the women of the royal household to observe street life and festivals without being seen by the public. Source: Belikova Oksana / Adobe Stock

Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds, is a famous palace located in Jaipur, the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as an extension of the City Palace. The palace's unique facade features 953 small windows and screens, which allowed the women of the royal household to observe street life and festivals without being seen by the public. Source: Belikova Oksana / Adobe Stock

The Palace of Pena is a 19th-century Romanticist palace located in Sintra, a town near Lisbon, Portugal. It was built in 1838 on the site of a former monastery by King Ferdinand II, who wanted to create a lavish summer residence for the Portuguese royal family. The palace's eclectic architecture combines elements of Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance styles, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction. Source: Yasonya / Adobe Stock.

The Palace of Pena is a 19th-century Romanticist palace located in Sintra, a town near Lisbon, Portugal. It was built in 1838 on the site of a former monastery by King Ferdinand II, who wanted to create a lavish summer residence for the Portuguese royal family. The palace's eclectic architecture combines elements of Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance styles, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction. Source: Yasonya / Adobe Stock.

The Blue Palace, also known as the Laxmi Vilas Palace, is a historic palace located in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, India. Built in 1890 by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh, the palace served as a royal residence and hunting lodge for the Jaipur royal family. The palace is known for its distinctive blue color, which is a traditional hue used in many buildings in the historic "Pink City" of Jaipur. Source: MukeshKumar / Adobe Stock

The Blue Palace, also known as the Laxmi Vilas Palace, is a historic palace located in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, India. Built in 1890 by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh, the palace served as a royal residence and hunting lodge for the Jaipur royal family. The palace is known for its distinctive blue color, which is a traditional hue used in many buildings in the historic "Pink City" of Jaipur. Source: MukeshKumar / Adobe Stock

The Alhambra is a fortress and palace complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It was constructed in the mid-14th century during the Nasrid dynasty and is known for its stunning Islamic architecture, intricate carvings, and ornate tile work. The Alhambra is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, attracting millions of visitors every year. Source: pillerss / Adobe Stock

The Alhambra is a fortress and palace complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It was constructed in the mid-14th century during the Nasrid dynasty and is known for its stunning Islamic architecture, intricate carvings, and ornate tile work. The Alhambra is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, attracting millions of visitors every year. Source: pillerss / Adobe Stock

Topkapi Palace is a historic palace located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed II and served as the primary residence for the Ottoman Sultans for over 400 years. Today, it is a popular museum that showcases Ottoman history and culture, and is known for its stunning architecture, intricate tilework, and expansive collections of art, artifacts, and jewelry. Source: RuslanKphoto / Adobe Stock

Topkapi Palace is a historic palace located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed II and served as the primary residence for the Ottoman Sultans for over 400 years. Today, it is a popular museum that showcases Ottoman history and culture, and is known for its stunning architecture, intricate tilework, and expansive collections of art, artifacts, and jewelry. Source: RuslanKphoto / Adobe Stock

Potala Palace is a historic palace located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It was built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo and has served as the residence of the Dalai Lamas and the center of Tibetan Buddhism for centuries. The palace is known for its impressive architecture, ornate decorations, and extensive collections of art, artifacts, and religious texts, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction. Source: tynrud / Adobe Stock.

Potala Palace is a historic palace located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It was built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo and has served as the residence of the Dalai Lamas and the center of Tibetan Buddhism for centuries. The palace is known for its impressive architecture, ornate decorations, and extensive collections of art, artifacts, and religious texts, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction. Source: tynrud / Adobe Stock.

The Palace of Versailles is a historic palace located in Versailles, France. It was built in the 17th century by King Louis XIV as a symbol of royal power and was the seat of the French government until the French Revolution in 1789. The palace is known for its stunning Baroque architecture, expansive gardens, and rich history, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in France. Source: Sergey Novikov / Adobe Stock.

The Palace of Versailles is a historic palace located in Versailles, France. It was built in the 17th century by King Louis XIV as a symbol of royal power and was the seat of the French government until the French Revolution in 1789. The palace is known for its stunning Baroque architecture, expansive gardens, and rich history, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in France. Source: Sergey Novikov / Adobe Stock.

The Forbidden City is an ancient palace complex located in the heart of Beijing, China. It was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and was the political center of China for over 500 years. Source: MarinadeArt / Adobe Stock

The Forbidden City is an ancient palace complex located in the heart of Beijing, China. It was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and was the political center of China for over 500 years. Source: MarinadeArt / Adobe Stock

Dolmabahce Palace is a historic palace located on the European shore of the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in the mid-19th century by the Ottoman sultan Abdulmecid I as a symbol of the declining Ottoman Empire's power and wealth. The palace is known for its opulent design, with influences from European neoclassical, Baroque, and Rococo styles, and is now a popular museum and tourist attraction in Istanbul. Source: Joshua Davenport / Adobe Stock

Dolmabahce Palace is a historic palace located on the European shore of the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in the mid-19th century by the Ottoman sultan Abdulmecid I as a symbol of the declining Ottoman Empire's power and wealth. The palace is known for its opulent design, with influences from European neoclassical, Baroque, and Rococo styles, and is now a popular museum and tourist attraction in Istanbul. Source: Joshua Davenport / Adobe Stock

The interior of Mysore Palace in India. Mysore Palace is a historic palace located in the city of Mysore, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It was the residence of the Wodeyar dynasty, who ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from the late 14th century until Indian independence in 1947. The palace is renowned for its elaborate architecture, including intricate carvings, paintings, and decorative elements, and it is now a major tourist attraction in the region. Source:  Noppasinw / Adobe Stock

The interior of Mysore Palace in India. Mysore Palace is a historic palace located in the city of Mysore, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It was the residence of the Wodeyar dynasty, who ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from the late 14th century until Indian independence in 1947. The palace is renowned for its elaborate architecture, including intricate carvings, paintings, and decorative elements, and it is now a major tourist attraction in the region. Source:  Noppasinw / Adobe Stock

Catherine Palace is a historic palace located in Tsarskoye Selo, a town near St. Petersburg, Russia. It was built in the 18th century by Empress Elizabeth and later expanded by Catherine the Great, who used it as a summer residence. The palace is known for its stunning Baroque architecture, opulent decorations, and extensive collections of art and artifacts, and is now a popular tourist attraction and museum in Russia. Source: Sergey Bogomyako / Adobe Stock

Catherine Palace is a historic palace located in Tsarskoye Selo, a town near St. Petersburg, Russia. It was built in the 18th century by Empress Elizabeth and later expanded by Catherine the Great, who used it as a summer residence. The palace is known for its stunning Baroque architecture, opulent decorations, and extensive collections of art and artifacts, and is now a popular tourist attraction and museum in Russia. Source: Sergey Bogomyako / Adobe Stock

The Chateau de Chantilly is a historic castle located in Chantilly, France, about 50 kilometers north of Paris. It was originally built in the 16th century for Anne de Montmorency, a French nobleman and military commander, and later expanded and renovated by other owners. Today, the castle is a major tourist attraction, known for its impressive collection of artwork and its beautiful gardens. Chateau de Chantilly castle. Source: Sergey Novikov / Adobe Stock

The Chateau de Chantilly is a historic castle located in Chantilly, France, about 50 kilometers north of Paris. It was originally built in the 16th century for Anne de Montmorency, a French nobleman and military commander, and later expanded and renovated by other owners. Today, the castle is a major tourist attraction, known for its impressive collection of artwork and its beautiful gardens. Chateau de Chantilly castle. Source: Sergey Novikov / Adobe Stock

Top image: The palace at Wat Phra Keaw, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located in Bangkok, Thailand. It was built in 1782 by King Rama I as the royal residence and center of government. The palace complex has undergone several expansions and renovations throughout the years and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. Source: Travel mania / Adobe Stock.

By Joanna Gillan

 
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Joanna

Joanna Gillan is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. 

Joanna completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree in Australia and published research in the field of Educational Psychology. She has a rich and varied career, ranging from teaching... Read More

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