The royal palaces not only showcase the architectural and artistic splendor of highly esteemed structures, but also delve into the extensive political and cultural histories of the countries in which they are situated. They also mirror the dynasties that governed them. For ages, these stately buildings have served as the center of court life, witnessing historically significant events and hosting monarchs, nobles, and renowned people. This article on the world’s largest royal palaces will highlight some of the most impressive and notable examples of these constructions.
The world’s largest royal palaces.
From the enormity of Russia’s Kremlin complex to the magnificence of France’s Palace of Versailles, each of these royal palaces tells its own story of power, art, and architecture. The world’s largest royal palaces also house an invaluable cultural heritage, including works of art, period furnishings, tapestries and fabrics, amazing decorations, memorabilia, and testimonials from a glorious past.
Royal Palace of Stockholm, Sweden.
The Royal Palace of Stockholm covers 61,210 square meters and is located on the islet of Stadsholmen. It is still the official palace of the Swedish king and houses the country’s parliament. A terrible fire in 1697 forced a reconstruction of the building. The Royal Palace of Stockholm is also a significant example of Swedish Baroque architecture. It explicitly cites Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s works. Inside, there are 1,430 rooms divided across three levels and four wings. The facade is beautifully ornamented.
There are various museums inside Stockholm’s Royal Palace. The Livrustkammaren is Sweden’s oldest museum. In fact, King Gustavus Adolphus inaugurated it in 1628 and now houses the royal family’s collection, which has grown throughout the ages. The Swedish Crown Jewels are on display at the Treasure Museum. The Museum of Antiquities houses around 200 sculptures from classical antiquity, all of which are from Italy. The “Tre Kronor” Museum takes up the oldest parts of the edifice and displays relics documenting the history of the previous palace.
Palace of Versailles, France
The Palace of Versailles is the most iconic symbol of the French Ancien Régime. This lovely and world-famous royal palace, located 15 kilometers southwest of Paris, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Versailles’ construction began in 1623 and continued until 1683. In 1682, King Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, relocated there with his entire court. While the French were hungry, the palace became an emblem of authority, uncontrolled luxury, and extravagant indulgence.
Versailles has a total area of 67,000 square meters, plus 815 hectares of parks. It has around 2,300 works of art. Half of these works are on display in the internal museum. The park consists of 93 gardens scattered with tiny and magnificent buildings such as the Petit and Grand Trianon, the Queen’s Hamlet, the Grand and Petit Canals, the Orangerie, and the Swiss Water Piece.
Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Topkapi Palace is a residential complex, and the Sultan and the Ottoman Empire were its owners. The construction began in the second half of the 15th century, due to Mehmed II’s wishes. Over the decades, the residence expanded to cover the Serraglio promontory, which is higher than the city. This complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an incredible number of rooms. Some are accessible, such as the Harem and Treasury.
The Topkapi Palace houses an amazing museum collection, which includes weaponry, armor, uniforms, royal robes, relics, miniatures, manuscripts, and papers. Outside, we see large gardens with pavilions. The Tiled Kiosk, dating back to 1473, displays Islamic pottery from Istanbul’s Archaeological museums.
Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom
Buckingham Palace is one of the world’s largest royal palaces. It’s one of the world’s most famous sights and the residence of the United Kingdom’s kings. The iconic palace was originally a medieval castle, but it took on its current appearance around the seventeenth century. Buckingham Palace is also well-known for its extensive collection of artworks. For example, the Royal Apartments gallery contains works by masters like Rembrandt, van Dyck, Rubens, and Vermeer.
The Queen’s Gallery displays various works from the Royal Collection. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms and 92 offices. Outside, the park comprises 17 hectares and includes an artificial lake and over 350 flower varieties.
Quirinal Palace, Italy
Since 1946, the Italian Republic’s President has lived at the Quirinal Palace. Since 1870, the King of Italy has occupied it. The construction of this Roman palace on the same-named hill began in 1573. Within a few decades, it rose to prominence as one of the Italian capital’s most important palaces.
The majestic complex, which once housed popes, comprises a core edifice around the honor courtyard and the Long Wing, which overlooks Via del Quirinale. The most magnificent and significant spaces are the Grand Hall of the Cuirassiers, the Pauline Chapel, the Zodiac Room, the Lille Tapestry Room, and the Hall of Festivities. The Quirinal Palace, with its 110,500 square meters, is not only one of the world’s largest royal palaces, but it is also the world’s second-largest presidential house, after Ankara’s Ak Saray.
The Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain.
The Royal Palace of Madrid, popularly known as the “Palace of the East,” is the official residence of Spain’s royal family. However, at the moment, only official ceremonies take place here. The Alcázar, a 9th-century Muslim fortress, served as the foundation for the palace’s construction. In 1561, Madrid became the capital of the Spanish Empire, and the royals moved to this palace.
Filippo Juvarra, an Italian architect, designed this huge structure with 3,418 rooms and 135,000 m² of total area. It is Europe’s largest royal home. The Throne Room still features King Charles III’s original Rococo furnishings, gigantic mirrors, Tiepolo murals, Venetian chandeliers, and four golden lions positioned on either side of the two thrones. Outside, we find the 20-hectare garden of Campo del Moro, the Jardines de Sabatini with the royal stables, and Plaza de la Armería, located between the Almudena Cathedral and the southern façade of the Royal Palace.
Forbidden City, Beijing, China.
The Forbidden city in Beijing is one of the world’s largest royal palaces, spanning 150,000 square meters. It is an astonishing and massive facility. It comprises the Ming and Qing dynasties‘ imperial palace, which is located at the center of the city’s ancient defense system. For six centuries, the Forbidden City served as the emperor’s palace and the seat of authority for the Chinese government.
The complex’s construction began in the early 15th century and now consists of about 1,000 buildings and 8,707 rooms. Inside, we can see the Palace Museum, which houses a large collection of artworks and antiques from the Ming and Qing eras. Since 1987, the Forbidden City has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, Italy.
Let us return to Italy, where we can find one of the world’s largest royal palaces. I am referring to the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. True, the pope is not a king, but, throughout Italian history, the pope of Rome worked in a position similar to that of a true monarch and head of state. The Apostolic Palace is a cluster of structures that evolved over time, from the 12th century to the 19th century. In total, these properties have around a thousand rooms and an enormous wealth of artwork.
The Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, which spans 162,000 square meters, includes the Holy Father’s private apartment, the Pope’s Ante-Chamber with the Hall of the Consistory, and several chapels. The whole ceiling of the Sala Regia shows the frescoes featuring Giorgio Vasari and other notable 16th-century artists. The Pauline Chapel, which houses Michelangelo’s works, is accessible from the Sala Regia. The world-famous Sistine Chapel houses Michelangelo’s stunning Last Judgment as well as murals by significant artists from the second half of the fifteenth century, including Botticelli, Perugino, Pinturicchio, and Ghirlandaio. The Raphael Rooms are part of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.
Istana Nurul Iman, State of Brunei.
Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan of Brunei’s main house and seat of government, is the world’s second-biggest royal palace, covering 200,000 square meters. The structure stands out among hills covered in lush flora, a few kilometers from the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The exact year of construction’s commencement remains unknown, but it concluded in 1984.
The structure has an eclectic and modern style, as well as traditional golden domes and vaulted roofs typical of Islamic architecture. The Istana Nurul Iman has 17 stories, 1,788 rooms, and a dining hall that can hold up to 5,000 people. In addition, we have a mosque that can accommodate 1,500 worshipers, 18 elevators, 110 garages, 5 swimming pools, and air-conditioned stables that can house 200 horses.
Louvre, France.
The Louvre is the world’s largest royal palace, with 210,000 square meters of floor space. The Louvre is not just a famous museum. In fact, this renowned Parisian building is nothing more than the former residence of the King of France, until the court relocated to Versailles in 1682 during the reign of the Sun King. The Louvre Palace was once a castle, built near the end of the 12th century. The current appearance dates from the second part of the 14th century, thanks to improvements completed under Charles V’s reign.
It became a museum shortly after the conclusion of the French Revolution. The Louvre now covers 210,000 square meters as a result of President Mitterrand’s expansion projects in the 1980s and 1990s. For this reason, it is the world’s largest museum.
World’s largest royal palaces Gallery
