RoyalDish.com

Let me start this part of the forum by posting a map showing the locations of the danish royal castles.

(http://royaldish.com/images/slotte.jpg)

The Ermitage Slottet looks like a cute candy  :love: :icecream:
Which palace you visit and found the most special? the kind that made you want to live in It?

I'm trying to remember which one I liked but the one that really made me jealous is the Vatican I know that the pope isn't a royal but once he was similar in a way the Vatican is not only beauiful but have few of the greatest art collection in the world  :-]__ o.k. I'm drolling here , I'm so so jealous and I'm bet the royal family's do too
The Pitti palace in Florence. my (only) fav royal family were living there once the Medici. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Pitti_boboli_utens.jpg/800px-Pitti_boboli_utens.jpg It's beautiful and the way you can see the big fountain and the gardens from the rooms. Again amezing art in every room painted by the greatest artists  :eager:
http://www.aboutflorence.com/images-from-Florence/Monuments-in-Florence/pitti.jpg
http://www.dsi.unifi.it/icsm2001/img/pitti.jpg
Other than the Italians I think that the Russian are amezing and beautiful but I never had the chance to visit them.
From the pictures of the inside of the Danish and Swedish palaces that I've got to see non of them made me think that they are beautiful so far. If you have pictures of the inside of the palaces that the current royals family live in please post

How about haunted castles/palaces (:nerves:) stories: including myth, legend or even the truht one and the castles pictures. Does any one have it . (http://smileys.sur-la-toile.com/repository/Fantastique/emo-338.gif) (http://smileys.sur-la-toile.com/repository/Fantastique/emoticones-msn-dragon-2.gif)

Hey, I LIKE this thread!  But tell me...who lives where, and when?  I know Jokke lives at Schackenborg and Henrik owns Caix in France.  Amalienborg is the family's main digs in Copenhagen and Fredensborg is where Fred and Mares live and where their wedding reception was held.  I think they all summer at Marselisborg, right?  But what about the rest...Grasten Slot, Eremitage Slottet, and Sorgenfri Slot?  Are they kept clean and ready just in case one of the royals feels like taking a Sunday afternoon drive in the country?  And what does 'slot' mean? 

Ingrid used to spend her summers at Gråsten. To keep the tradition alive Margrethe has held family gatherings there for the laft few summers. I think it's the idea that Frederik and Mary is to take it over at some point. Sorgenfri was the home of Margrethe's uncle Prince Knud. I don't think anyone has lived there since his wife (don't remember her name, she was his cousin and also a Danish princess) died. I think the castle is in need of restoration so it'll probably not be used by the DRF in a while [I've always thought it would be the perfect place for Mary to life if they got divorced.. It's not far from Fredensborg]. Eremitage Slottet is a weird little place. I think it was build as a hunting "hut" for a king at some point - it's placed in a public garden - garden is not quite the right word, but it was planted when the Brits stole the Danish fleet so there'd be wood to build a new fleet. There are lots of deer and a popular amusement park sutiated in the garden.

I visited Frederiksborg and was quite impressed, filled to the brim with gorgeous artwork and antiques.  Every room was extremely ornate (but I suppose this is because it is used as a museum and is chockfull), unlike their home in Fredensborg  - boring and beige... :yuk:

I didn't have a very good camera with me that day but here is a sampling of photos from the palace and gardens.  I hope it works as I'm not sure how to work photobucket  (:-]

Pixie...I tried to view your photos, but the web site says I need a password to gain access to them.  I know absolutely nothing about photobucket, so I'm afraid I'm hopeless when it comes to helping. 

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1275.jpg)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1287.jpg)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1268-1.jpg)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1274.jpg)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1285-1.jpg)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1269.jpg)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1260.jpg)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1258-1.jpg)

It worked!  Thanks, Pixie.  The photos are great...not a bad one in the bunch.  The gardens are lovely...not at all what I expected, though.  They reminded me of France...very formal.  The picture of the interior of the chapel was especially nice, and I loved the one of the outside of the chateau (castle?  slot?) with the gardens and the moat.  I hope someday to be able to visit in person.  Again, thank you.

well thank you Chris, yes, very French indeed.  It was really beautiful (it's where the portrait of Mosh hangs gazing out the palace window towards OZ with her glove in hand  ;)), I was surprised that her portrait did not hang in the most prominent of places, just there amongst hundreds of others.

Lovely, lovely day.

Fountain at Amalienborg
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1297.jpg)
Swedish Royal Palace
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN2180.jpg)
Rosenborg
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN1316.jpg)
Amalienborg
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/chokovina/DSCN0873_2.jpg)

Gorgeous pictures Pixie!  Makes me want to visit Denmark!

 I LOVE LOVE LOVE castles.  I have books and books on them.  I did get to visit my favorite castle of all time which is Hever Castle.  As a child I would visit castles on the Rhine River as part of our school field trips, even at that young age I appreciated them and immediately fell in love! 

Aww I hope Meary countess of http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eremitageslottet opens up her house up for us to see soon 8)

G :)

What a lovely place...just love the snow :love:

Thank you for this new section  :thumbu:
Thanks you Pixie for the pics!
And thanks Thomas for posting the map with the location of the castles. I had no idea that Schackenborg was so far away from Copenhagen. Alexandra lives in/around CPH if I remember correctly, so everytime Felix and Nicolai go visit their father, they have to take the airplane.   

Check the scale. Denmark is not that big  :)

What's wrong with the whole west coast of Denmark? Thomas if I read your map correctly no-one was moved to put a castle there...

 :8) That's true.

I saw it too that same year! And I agree with you.

I went to Hampton Court as well during the same trip. Very nice place, and supposedly haunted too. I must say, even before knowing where I was, I didn't feel well in the Haunted Gallery... *:-|

And if you love palaces, Versailles, Fontainebleau and the Louvre are nice to see! Let's not forget the Loire Valley castles, from different times, but absolutely lovely...
For example:
Chambord Castle, built by King François I (it's a bit empty inside, though, but there's the famous 'magic stairs" created by Leonordo Da Vinci),
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/elissag/Chambord.jpg)


Chenonceau, above the river Indre, often occupied by Queens and royal mistresses :
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/elissag/Chenonceaux.jpg)

and many more...

 :hugesmile: the whole place was abandoned when the last iron age person left......on a more serious note, Googling variations of 'West Coast', Jutland' etc, brings little info, but there was a castle lurking:

http://www.ses.dk/167000c

and a little about Jutland: http://wikitravel.org/en/Jutland......... - not much going on it seems, maybe I was right about the iron age.... :-)#

lupina

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/elissag/Chenonceaux.jpg)
I remember visiting It as a child and still It left a mark (I'm afried Versailles was more forgetable to me)
It's absolutely dreamy  how I would love living there  :love: and I remeber a lovely forest near It
Form all the castles that I've seen in France this was my favorite

Chenonceaux is a wonderful place. There's a "sweetness" (douceur in French) in that Loire Valley... and Chenonceaux has always been a "Ladies" castle, while Versailles is more a "man" palace. Built by the wife of a rich banker, then bought by royal favorite Diane of Poitiers, then occupied  by Catherine de Medici, and her step-daughters Louise of Lorraine and Mary Queen of Scots...Both tragic and romantic!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Chenonceau

Thanks for the info and pics about Danish castles! There are more than I suspected! :star:

Have you seen the movie "Russian Ark"? I loved It  :thumbu:
The palace is beautiful just amezing
Some pictures from the movie
http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/9-10-2002/jpegs/russianarklg2.jpg
http://www.henrysheehan.com/reviews/pqr/russian-ark.jpg
http://members.aol.com/heiiyyar/ark.jpg
http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper851/stills/3e8793a5a2672-59-1.jpg
http://thecia.com.au/reviews/r/images/russian-ark-4.jpg
http://www.german-films.de/app/filmarchive/images/russian_ARK.jpg
http://www.bta.it/img/a0/07/bta00708.jpg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/films/2003/images/ark_lead.jpg

Yes I saw it! So beautiful!!! Let's hope one day we'll be able to visit the Hermitage palace, as well as all the Russian imperial palaces!! :love:

On another continent and another style, I'd love to see both Forbidden City and Summer Palace in China. The movie The Last Emperor was filmed there!

My parents are going to travel in Moscow and St. Petersburg this year I'm so jealous of them.
As for the Forbidden city It was nothing amezing an anti climax It get's better when you think of the history behind It but for that you don't need to visit China. It's huge and most of the rooms are still closed to the public the rooms that you can see are o.k. but again nothing that makes you say wow or remember It. The special thing about It is the hugh complax around It.
The Summer palace is much nicer and I'm glad I visit It It's also a huge complax but really interesting with the old and new palaces, the colored wood and the statues . I really liked It
pictures of the Summer palace
http://www.kinabaloo.com/ss9023.jpg
http://www.chinapictures.org/images/beijing/1/beijing-50408121952272.jpg
http://www.gonomad.com/gallery/sas/images/asia-boat.jpg
http://www.backpackerinfo.net/images/photos/China-SummerPalace.jpg
http://www.chinahighlights.com/image/beijing/attraction/temple-of-heaven-beijing-b.jpg
http://www.free-photos.org/photos/chinasummerpalace.jpg
http://www.chinatouching.com/wp-content/photos/Summer_Palace_17.jpg
http://www.nextcamenora.com/China%20May%205%20crowd%20at%20summer%20palace.jpg

There's alot of buildings there  ;D

Thank you, Thomas, for creating the new section!  :) :thumbu:

I love everyone's photos!  Thank you!

Everyone knows this one, right:

Bran Castle, of The Romanian RF (aka Dracula's Castle)
http://www.brancastlemuseum.ro/indexfrm_en.htm

A palace that I really loved and was amezed of is The Potala Palace in Tibet visiting It was an uplifting, moving and a very sad experience


It's amezing to see The Tibetan people praying inside and all of the amezing thombs of the previous Lamas and the gorgeous paintings on the walls but It's so sad that It treated like a museum and not like a scared place by the Chinese
pictures
(http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/tibet/images/potala-palace-500.jpg)
http://kimbriggs.com/photos/tibet/potola-palace/potala-palace02205.jpg
http://www.chinahighlights.com/image/lhasa/attraction/buda.jpg
http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/71370710.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F47005EC9D11D662101645BA56C416589054CA55A1E4F32AD3138
http://www.heybrian.com/lib/images/travels/tibet/lhasa_temple_beam_194.jpg
http://www.troyhenkels.com/images/photos/Everest034B.jpg
http://www.100gogo.com/tibet/pa1.htm

Wow!!  I wouldn't mind going home to that pile of bricks.  :yes:

I'm going to Sweden, Denmark and Norway this summer!!!!  Hot sh*t!!!  Can't wait to go.  Going to meet the future in-laws.  Wish me luck :hugesmile:

Considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world The Alhambra in Spain was done in a Moorish (Islamic) style
(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/13/19/5a/the-alhambra.jpg)
http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2455747.html
http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2344087.html
http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2344543.html
http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2341711.html
http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2342578.html
http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2343022.html
http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2343497.html
http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/The_Alhambra.html/cid_2456535.html
Really beautiful  :love:

;D
Good luck I'm sure they'll love you   :yes:

Good luck *champ*

Where are you going in Denmark? There are many things to see around the country - and more castles than the royal ones ;)

I remember going there with my French Club trip; it was my first live view of a castle.  What an impression it made on me too.  Very surreal.  The stables were just as beautiful as the main house.

Wasn't that castle in James Bond 007: A View to a Kill? (1985)

The Royal Castle of Laeken, home of the Belgian Royal Family:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Castle_of_Laeken

I think it would be more interesting if we could find pictures of interior part of castles.
I found one http://www.chateaudusse.fr/index.html
Sorry the text is in French only but we can see pictures of exterior and interior part of the castle.
 

According to imdb, the castle in A View to a Kill was not Chenonceaux, but Chantilly Castle, near Paris:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090264/locations

Here is a view of Chantilly Castle:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/elissag/Chantilly.jpg)

Biltmore House, the largest private home in the US...located in western North Carolina.  It was the summer home of a branch of the DuPont family.  Not a bad little summer cabin, eh?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Biltmore_Estate.jpg

Those two castles have some similarities.  Thanks for the info!  :8)

(I'd take either one if offered...) :)

Hearst Castle, San Simeon, California.  It was built during the 1920's.  The architect was a woman!  Very unusual in those days.

http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/San_Simeon.html/cid_20060408_kmm_img_2558.html

I've always wanted to see that house...

It was modelled after Chateau de Blois in the Loire Valley:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_de_Blois


Here's their website:
http://www.biltmore.com/

Here's the current owner:Bill Cecil,President & CEO,The Biltmore Company...wonder if he's single...

Ca-Ching:  Get out your checkbooks:

http://www.castles-for-sale.com/sale/

I've always loved Biltmore.  It's still owned by Vanderbilt descendants after all these years.  Speaking of Vanderbilts, here's another one of their charming cottages...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Breakers

My fav Danish castle is Kronborg for the tapestries(fantastisk) and Rosenborg only for the crown jewels :hugesmile:


Hanzo wrote:

Would love to visit this one.The Taj Mahal(though its not a castle) is one of the my things to do before I die.

Wow! Great thread everyone!
Good luck, Michelle! Not that you will need it, your fabulousness will shine!

One of my all-time favourite castles is Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. It is castle of fairytales.
http://www.intheveins.com/images/Neuschwanstein.jpg
http://www.tompgalvin.com/places/de/bayern/photos/neuschwanstein_01.jpg

Some info about the castle:
Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloss [formerly Schloß] Neuschwanstein, lit. New Swan Stone palace; pronounced [nɔɪˈʃvaːnʃtaɪ̯n]) is a 19th-century Bavarian palace. Located on a mountain top in Germany, near Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria, the palace was built by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner, the King's inspiring muse. Although public photography of the interior is not permitted,[1] it is the most photographed building in Germany[2] and is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuschwanstein

Another favourite would be Lahore Fort. It is such an imposing structure and the interior is magnificent.
http://www.apnaorg.com/articles/aujla-3/lahore_fort_new.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/arifakhan/lahore_fort

History:
The Lahore Fort, locally referred to as Shahi Qila citadel of the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located in the northwestern corner of Lahore, adjacent to the Walled City. Some of the famous sites within the fort are: Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Naulakha pavilion, and Moti Masjid. The fort is 1,400 feet long and 1,115 feet wide. In 1981, the fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Shalamar Gardens.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahore_Fort

Information and pictures of the Jordanian Royal Palaces
http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/royal_palaces.html

Some more forts in Pakistan

Rohtas Fort

Rohtas Fort (Urdu: قلعہ روہتاس Qila Rohtas) is a garrison fort built by the great Afghan king Sher Shah Suri. This fort is about 4 km in circumference and the first example of the successful amalgamation of Pukhtun and Hindu architecture in the sub-continent
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohtas_Fort

Derawar Fort

Derawar Fort is a large square fortress in Pakistan near Bahawalpur. The forty bastions of Delawar are visible for many miles in Cholistan Desert. The walls have a circumference of 1500 meters and stand up to thirty meters high.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derawar_Fort
I have wanted to go here for many years, it's an amazing looking building.
http://www.contactpakistan.com/ExplorePakistan/derawerfort.html

Baltit Fort

Baltit Fort or Balti Fort is an ancient fort in the Hunza valley in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. In former times survival of the feudal regimes of Hunza was ensured by the impressive Baltit fort, that sit on top of Karimabad. The foundations of the fort are said to date back around 700 years, but there have been rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the Thum married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of Tibetan influence in Baltistan at the time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltit_Fort
http://www.heritage.gov.pk/View-JPG%20pics/16-baltit_fort.htm

It's clear how much this building was influenced by the Tibetans.

A link to palaces in India
http://www.indiasite.com/palaces/
http://members.tripod.com/maharaniofjaipur/id23.htm

I've always liked Zwinger Palace in Dresden.

http://www.twip.org/image-europe-germany-dresden-zwinger-palace-zwinger-en-10060-3561.html

You're right, UB...I said the DuPont family, but it's the Vanderbilts who built and own this summer hideaway.  The family still has several homes on the grounds and there's a rather nice hotel there, as well.  Sadly, I only had lunch in the restaurant and didn't spend the night.  The food was good, though!

I really loved Castello Estense in Ferrara, Italy.  All the more interesting because it became the home of Lucrezia Borgia when she married.  
http://www.italianvisits.com/images/eromagna-im/ferrara/ferrara_castello_estense.jpg

Warwick Castle was great too.  
http://www.spkweb.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/7221223A-5F1A-4B93-8012-CE70AA459D6B/7967/warwick_castle.jpg

Oh, Little star...you've included a link to one of the places I'd love to see before I go to that big web site in the sky.  The lake palace in Udaipur.  If I could spend just one night there, I'd die a happy woman.

I lived in St. Germain en Laye (suburb of Paris).  Here's the chateau that's right in the center of town.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Saint-Germain-en-Laye

I'm not sure It lives to the expections but maybe I wasn't so amazed by It because of all the tourists still It's a place one needs to see

Baltit Fort

Baltit Fort or Balti Fort is an ancient fort in the Hunza valley in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. In former times survival of the feudal regimes of Hunza was ensured by the impressive Baltit fort, that sit on top of Karimabad. The foundations of the fort are said to date back around 700 years, but there have been rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the Thum married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of Tibetan influence in Baltistan at the time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltit_Fort
http://www.heritage.gov.pk/View-JPG%20pics/16-baltit_fort.htm

It's clear how much this building was influenced by the Tibetans.
[/quote]


LS...I've been to Baltit Fort and its just GAWGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its breath taking place.. :love:   :love:

BTW...love that Queen video...she's got gawgeous eyes. GReat dance!

G :)

Another beutiful castle in Spain is the Alcázar of Segovia

http://www.alcazardesegovia.com/
http://www.fuenterrebollo.com/archivo-segovia/Segovia-2006/alcazar-1.jpg
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/11/03/spain300.jpg

One more castle that I like is Palace de Pena in Portugal It's looks crazy and have amezing panoramic views


(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Pena-medio-cut.JPG)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Pena_Palace_back-edit.jpg/724px-Pena_Palace_back-edit.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ippar-palacio-pena-aerea.jpg

To Hanzo, LS and Maria, thanks for the kind words and best wishes! :-)-(-: :-)-(-: :-)-(-: :kiss: :kiss:

My future in-laws are based in Gothenburg.  I'll also be stopping by Stockholm, Copenhagen and Olso (where my fiance's sister resides).  I can't wait. 

Lucky Lucky Lady!  I'm jealous of your trip.  Ofcourse, they'll love you!  I just hope you like them LOL  :hugesmile:

When ever we have out of town visitors we take them o the Biltmore House (a little more than an hours drive)...its a working estate which supply milk,eggs,ice cream, as well as some beef.  It also has an elaborate winery and fabulous gardens.  Spring is the best month to visit, as the summer it is very hot.  They also have a remarkable Christmas-lighting with old decorations

LS...I've been to Baltit Fort and its just GAWGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its breath taking place.. :love:   :love:

BTW...love that Queen video...she's got gawgeous eyes. GReat dance!

G :)
[/quote]
Really? I'm incredibly jealous, it's one of my dreams to visit the Hunza Valley. When did you go?! How was it?! As beautiful as it looks in the photos?

If you think the dance looks good, try learning it....somehow I got conned into doing it for a friend's wedding. Big mistake!

Edinburgh Castle
http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~sedwards/photos/edinburgh200504/20050402-8040_Edinburgh_Castle_at_night.jpg

Edinburgh Castle is an ancient stronghold which dominates the sky-line of the city of Edinburgh from its position atop Castle Rock. It is Scotland's second most visited tourist attraction.[1] Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC. As it stands today though, few of the castle's structures pre-date the Lang Siege of the 16th century, with the notable exception of St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, which dates from the early 12th century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Castle


Durham Castle
http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/looknorthnecumbria/weather/calendar_competition/april/images/durham_castle_anne_dalkin_470.jpg

Durham Castle is a Norman castle in the city of Durham, England, which has been wholly occupied since 1840 by University College, Durham. The castle stands on top of a hill above the River Wear on Durham's peninsula, opposite Durham Cathedral (grid reference NZ274423).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_Castle

Warwick Castle
http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/castles/warwickfrombridge.jpg

Warwick Castle (grid reference SP284648), pronounced (help·info) overlooking the River Avon, lies in the town of Warwick of the English county of Warwickshire. It is traditionally associated with the earldom of Warwick, one of the oldest in England. The castle today is a popular tourist attraction and attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warwick_Castle

Windsor Castle
http://z.about.com/d/gouk/1/0/W/-/-/-/windsor.jpg

Windsor Castle, in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, is the largest inhabited castle in the world and, dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, is the oldest in continuous occupation. The castle's floor area is approximately 484,000 square feet (about 45,000 square metres).[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor_Castle

Castle Howard
http://www.julianbicknell.co.uk/images/castle_howard.jpg

Castle Howard is a stately home in Yorkshire, England, 25 miles (40 km) north of York. It is one of the grandest private residences in the country. Most was built from 1699–1712 for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, to a design by Sir John Vanbrugh. It is not a true castle: the word is quite often used for country houses in England which were built after the end of the castle-building era (c.1500) and were not intended to have any military function
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Howard

Alnwick Castle
http://www.freefoto.com/images/1033/02/1033_02_1---Alnwick-Castle_web.jpg

Alnwick Castle is a castle and stately home in Alnwick, Northumberland, England, the residence of the Duke of Northumberland, built immediately following the Norman conquest, and renovated and remodelled a number of times. It is a Grade I listed building.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnwick_Castle

Bamburgh Castle
http://www.coquetcottage.co.uk/images/Bamburgh.jpg

Bamburgh Castle is an imposing castle located on the coast at Bamburgh in Northumberland, England (grid reference NU184350). It is a Grade I listed building.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamburgh_Castle

Really? I'm incredibly jealous, it's one of my dreams to visit the Hunza Valley. When did you go?! How was it?! As beautiful as it looks in the photos?

LS...BF was simply heavenly..felt a innate sense of peace and calm being there. Loved the view below...NO, its more beautiful than the photos :love:

with best

Getafix :)

Any information of the renovations of the future CP Icon's home, Christian VIII Palace @ Amalienborg..........especially lots of pictures (inside & out) showing CP Icon's 20 bathrooms + her million++++ $ Italian kitchen.

How about some inside pictures of thr Chancellery House that they are now living in---how many bedrooms for the staff,etc

The kitchen she will never use other than to make "oat food"  ::nono::

That's the one>    Although instead of oat food, probably a leaf or two of lettuce

Noordeinde

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/noordeinde12.jpg)

The palace originally started as a medieval farmhouse, which was converted into a spacious residence by the steward of the States of Holland, Willem van de Goudt in 1533. The original farmhouse's cellars can still be seen in the palace basement.
From 1566 to 1591, the palace had a different owner. After that it was leased, and in 1595, purchased by the States of Holland for Louise de Coligny, the widow of William of Orange, and her son Prince Frederik Hendrik. In recognition of William’s service to the nation, the States presented the building to his family in 1609.
Frederik Hendrik substantially enlarged the house, which was then known as the Oude Hof. He began by buying the surrounding plots of land. The architects Pieter Post and Jacob van Campen, who built Huis ten Bosch Palace in 1645, were among those involved in the alterations. The alterations included lengthening the main building and adding wings on either side, thus creating the characteristic H-form that is seen today.
After Frederik Hendrik died in 1647, his widow, Amalia van Solms, spent much of her time at the Oude Hof. Following her death in 1675, the house was more or less empty for many years. After the death of the Stadholder-King William III in 1702, it passed to King Frederick William of Prussia, a grandson of Frederik Hendrik’s.
In 1754, King Frederick the Great of Prussia sold his land-holdings in the Netherlands to Stadholder William V.
The son of Stadholder William V, who would become King Willem I, took up residence at the Oude Hof in 1792. But when the French invaded the Netherlands in 1795, during the Napoleonic Wars he and his family were forced to flee to England. The Oude Hof became the property of the Batavian Republic and hence state property, the status it has today.
In 1813, after the fall of King Louis Bonaparte, Prince Willem returned to the Netherlands, where he was proclaimed Sovereign Prince.
The Constitution of the time decreed that the State must provide a summer and a winter home for the sovereign. Initially there were plans to build a new winter residence, but in the end it was decided to make extensive alterations to the Oude Hof.
King Willem I moved into Noordeinde Palace in 1817, living there until his abdication in 1840. His successor, King Willem II, never resided there. Like his grandfather, King Willem III used Noordeinde as his winter home, though he preferred to live at his summer residence, Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn. In 1876, he had the royal stables built in the gardens behind Noordeinde Palace.
Even after King Willem III married Queen Emma, the royal family continued to use Noordeinde as their winter home. Their daughter, Princess Wilhelmina, was born there in 1880, and Queen Emma and her daughter spent their winters at Noordeinde after the King’s death in 1890. In 1895 the Queen Regent had premises for the Royal Archives built in the grounds.
In 1901, Queen Emma moved to Lange Voorhout Palace today's Escher Museum, while Queen Wilhelmina and her husband Prince Hendrik remained at Noordeinde.
Until the German invasion in 1940, Queen Wilhelmina continued to make frequent use of Noordeinde Palace. After the war, the palace was again used as the Queen’s winter residence.
In 1948, the central section of the palace was destroyed by fire. That same year Juliana acceded to the throne. She preferred Soestdijk Palace as her official residence, though some members of the Royal Household continued to use offices in Noordeinde. Between 1952 and 1976 the Institute of Social Studies was based in the north wing of the palace. Following a thorough restoration, the Palace became Queen Beatrix’s workplace in 1984.
The gardens of the palace are open to the public.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/noordeinde3.jpg

The majestic gate of Noordeinde, with the Queen's arms
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/noordeinde1.jpg

The front cour of Noordeinde, with guards
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/noordeinde6.jpg

Backside of Noordeinde, the large additions were build in 1814
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/noordeinde10.jpg

The main entrance at the backside
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/noordeinde2.jpg

Huis ten Bosch

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/2106834.jpg)

Huis ten Bosch Palace is one of the four official residences of the Dutch Royal Family, located in The Hague in the Netherlands. It has been home to Queen Beatrix since 1981.
Construction of Huis ten Bosch was begun on September 2, 1645, under the direction of Bartholomeus Drijffhout[1], and to a design by Pieter Post and Jacob van Campen. It was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia who was then living in exile with her husband. When completed, the palace became the summer home of Stadholder Frederik Hendrik of Orange and his wife, Amalia von Solms.
After her husband's death in 1647, Amalia dedicated the Palace to her husband. Led by architect Jacob van Campen, major artists of the day such as Gerard van Honthorst, Jacob Jordaens, Thomas Willeboirts Bosschaert and Jan Lievens filled the Oranjezaal ("Orange Room" ) with paintings glorifying the late prince. The dining room was designed by Daniel Marot.
Over the next century and a half, the palace would change possession from the Nassau family, the king of Prussia, and many Stadholders until the French invaded in 1795. They gave the palace to the Batavian (Dutch) people who still own it to this day. Napoleon Bonaparte's brother, Louis Napoleon, king of the Netherlands briefly lived in the palace between 1805 and 1807.
When William I was proclaimed King of the Netherlands, he made Huis ten Bosch one of his official residences. It became a favourite location for many members of the Royal Family, and during World War I it became the primary residence of Queen Wilhelmina.
The Queen and her family were forced to flee the palace for Britain (and from there to Canada) when the German army invaded the Netherlands during World War II. The Nazi administration planned to demolish the palace, but the comptroller convinced them not to. However, the palace was damaged beyond habitation.
Between 1950 and 1956, the palace was restored and once again became a royal residence. It became the prime residence once more in 1981.
The palace has undergone major reconstructions since it is was built. Currently, it consists of a central part with two long wings, spanning approximately 110 m from end to end.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/Huis-ten-bosch.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/937543.jpg

These pictures are from ~1980 out of a magazine. But nobody knows and I doubt it if they are a spitting image of the reality. Because they are from 20 years ago and because the family situation changed, I think they change some rooms. Especially the nurseries.

Haagse Wing

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/haagschefleugel.jpg)

1 Nursery at the terrace
2 Nursery
3  Children’s Bathroom
4 Living room of the Royal Family
5 Privet Balcony
6 Anteroom of the privet Workroom
7 Privet Workroom
8 Wardrobe of the Royal Couple
9 Bedroom of the Royal Couple
10 Twin Bathroom
11 Bed- and Bathroom of the Nanny
12 Living room of the Nanny
13 Privet Staircase
14 Privet Corridor
15 Bathroom of the Staff
16 Privet Dining Room
17 Privet Entrance
18 Sew Room
19 Corridor to five Bedrooms and a little kitchen
20 Dining Room for the Staff
21 Privet Best Room
22 Library- Conference Room
23 Best Room
24 Staircase to the Second Floor
25 Green Saloon
26 Former Workroom of Queen Wilhelmina
27 Blue Saloon
28 Daily Kitchen
29 Living room of the Staff

I just translated the private rooms. I must confess I was to lazy for the others, but the others mostly are obviously  ;D

Middle Part

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/palaismiddle.jpg)

The representation Part

Wassenaar Wing

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/paleis3.jpg)

In this wing are mostly guest rooms for friends, family or the ladies in waiting

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/2106833.jpg

Drakensteyn

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/2106809.jpg)

Drakensteyn/Drakesteijn/Drakestein is a small castle at 9 Slotlaan in the hamlet of Lage Vuursche, in the municipality of Baarn. The owner is Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Beatrix bought the castle in 1959, when she was the Crown Princess, and took up residence in 1963. After her marriage in 1966 she continued to live there with her husband, Prince Claus and later their three sons as well. After Beatrix succeeded her mother Juliana as Queen of the Netherlands in 1980, the family moved to The Hague in 1981.
Because of renovations plans announced in 2006, there is speculation that Beatrix will move back into the castle after she abdicates (retires) as Queen in favour of the Prince of Orange.
A house called Drakesteijn at this location was first mentioned in 1359, but the current building was constructed in the years 1640–1643 for a Gerard van Reede. It should not be confused with the nearby Klein Drakesteijn ("Little Drakesteijn"; located at 4 Kloosterlaan), which was built in 1780.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/Drakestein_Castle_1750.jpg

The royal connection aside, its most distinctive feature is its octagonal shape. It is surrounded by a moat that can be crossed via a bridge. Its style can be described as Classicist.

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/2106813.jpg)

Drakensteyn is surrounded by a large wood area

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/drakensteyn.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/893431.jpg

Thank you anirac  :star:
It was interesting plus I'm jelous of them that they live in a middlle of a forest (:-] is It private?
So Max and WA live in Huis ten Bosch Palace and Bea in Noordeinde?

Thank you anirac!  :star:

Drakensteyn seems like a nice and cosy place! With the woods outside, a perfect place for living with a family!

I love Drakensteyn!!! 

Thomas your map has been so helpful.  How far apart is Joachim's Schackenborg from Grasten Slot (where the extended family summer together on vacation) ???  On the map it looks very close (how long would it take by car?)    .The same with Amalienborg (isn't this the home of the Queen and Prince Henrik?) and Mary & Fred's home Fredensborg ???

Me too.... was there a couple of weeks ago. Lovely. It was the childhood home of Queen B's 3 sons.Its being renovated extensively with a fugly fence but you still can catch a glimpse. I wonder who's gonna live there after the renovation?? Constantijn and family perhaps?? Didn't Margriet and Peter lived there too  *:-|

It seems and everybody says so that after her abdication Beatrix is going to live there again. I think it is a lovely idea, because she said this was the best time in her life, but perhaps it is a little bit lonely after her parents died (Soestdijk was just a few minutes away. The boys went to their grandparents by bike) and her family lives in Den Haag or Appeldoorn. But probably I am wrong and she will enjoy it.

Not quite, Noordeinde is something like a town office, nowadays, it is where they all work when in town.
Huis ten Bosch in the Hague is where Beatrix lives and WA and Maxima live in a neat villa called Eikenhorst at De Horsten in Wassenaar, which is only about 6 mi north of Den Haag.

Thanks  :)

one of the most intersting about royals is Castles
am i mean if  i say i envy them for living in sush lovely places O:-)

Yes they are wondeful (:-]

Esp. if you have an armada responsible for cleaning and tax money made for upkeeping.....

Exactely  :P

Castles are part of history, but think what it must cost to keep them in repair, new wiring, new plumbing, new roofs.........scrape off all the old "lead" paint, sanding of wood floors, falling down arches.....................
Its hard enough to keep a 30-year-old house in good repair...............thank heavens Hubby can do almost all the repairs/renovations...but a new roof (3years ago cost us over $20,000) you have to hire a professional.

RF don't seem to think about such things or how much money it costs to upkeep.  Must be nice.

One BIG Palace: The Prague Castle

One of the Largest Castles in the World Has a Long and Storied History

Its 50-foot-high stone walls enclose acres of opulence that mirror a storybook. The grounds of the Prague Castle could house about 87 White Houses or six Buckingham palaces. From an aerial view, the big castle looks like a small city with seven football fields of buildings, turrets and courtyards. The centerpiece is the 7,000-year-old St. Vitus Cathedral.

The palace's alleys and arches are a glittering tapestry woven from more than 1,000 years of Prague's rich history.

"There is so much in one place. It's huge. I think people don't even know that you're still in the castle," said American tour guide Natalia Lucak.

It can take an hour to cross the castle's grounds if you're walking briskly, but you wouldn't have the time to appreciate the 4,000 paintings that decorate the grounds
In the Beginning
The King's Castle wasn't always so grand, though.

(continue in http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/GMABig/story?id=7062992&page=1 http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/GMABig/story?id=7062992&page=1) :thumbu:

An other clip about the castle (different shot with the one in the link above) http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=12451809
Love the jewelry and the myth behind.

Spooky! Haunting Photo Baffles Ghost Busters
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090327/tuk-spooky-haunting-photo-baffles-ghost-45dbed5.html

An eerie image of a figure in period costume has spooked experts investigating apparent photographic evidence of ghosts.

The picture, taken in May 2008, appears to show a man or woman in a ruff peering out of a barred window at Tantallon Castle.

No mannequins or costumed guides are employed at the castle, and three photographic experts have confirmed that no digital trickery was used on the photo.

Even confirmed ghost sceptic Professor Richard Wiseman, who led the study, admitted being puzzled.

"It is certainly very curious," he said. "We ran it by three photographic experts and they said it hadn't been Photoshopped at all.

"The figure appears to be in period costume, but we know 100% that Tantallon Castle is not the sort of place that has dummies or costumed guides - they just don't go in for that sort of thing."

Tantallon Castle, a ruined fortress dating back to the 14th Century, stands on a remote rocky headland near North Berwick on the Scottish east coast.

It was badly damaged in an attack by Oliver Cromwell's forces in 1651.

Christopher Aitchison, who took the photo, said: "I was not aware of anyone, or anything, being present in my picture, only noticing the anomaly when I got home.

"Staff have verified that there were no sinister dummies in period costume or historical re-enactments going on that day at the castle.

"I did not notice any nice old ladies wearing ruffs walking around the stairs! Some people have suggested its just light reflecting on rocks and one person suggested it may be King James V of Scotland."

Psychologist Prof Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire, who has made many studies of the supernatural, launched the investigation a month ago.

Members of the public were asked to submit ghostly images for experts to analyse, the best of which were posted on the website www.scienceofhauntings.com.

More than 250 pictures were received from all over the world and more than a quarter of a million people voted for what they considered to be the most convincing photos.

"The Ghost in the Castle" took first place, winning 39% of the votes.

Here are the runners up:

:: Ghost in the Woods - Appears to show a strange ghostly figure in the trees. Sceptics say it is probably a mixture of shadows, leaves and branches.

:: Ghost on the Street - A strange shadowy figure next to the couple in the picture. Non-believers say blurring in the image suggests a long exposure. A person may have walked past the photographer unnoticed.

:: Ghost on the Beach - A mysterious dark hooded figure stands at the water's edge. Sceptics say the figure is an illusion created by an indentation in the rock face.

:: Ghost in the Mirror - A ghostly face in a car's wing mirror. The photographer says no one else was around at the time but sceptics insist the face could be a reflection of a headrest, someone standing nearby, or the result of digital manipulation.

The study is part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival.

Experts will discuss the findings at Hauntings, a one-day public festival event examining the evidence for ghosts on April 4.

Depends on who is driving (with the royals and their speeding...  :-)# ), but Schackenborg to Gråsten is about 1 hour drive. (It takes about 3.5 hours from Schackenborg to Copenhagen - for when Nicolai and Felix visit their father.)

Fredensborg (north-Zealand) - Amalienborg (Copenhagen) is ca. half an hour drive.

Check out this beautiful place - Clausholm Slot. It's stunning! Have any of our Danish members been there? One of the rooms looks very much like the interior shots of Chancellory House that we've seen... note the ornate plaster work on the fireplace and the intricate white ceiling.

http://www.clausholm.dk/idd178.asp

The Royal Palace Amsterdam is ready

AMSTERDAM - The Royal Palace at the Dam Square in Amsterdam is ready again for state banquets, the accommodation of (foreign) guests, official acts and for the general public. After a thorough restoration and renovation which lasted three years, the palace will be back in use for representation and ceremonies of state.

From Sunday on, visitors are welcome to the monumental Seventeenth-century building in Amsterdam. In the palace, new apartments and suites were created and/or re-decorated for guests and their staff, complete with new bathrooms and wardrobe rooms. The elevators were modernized and clean air facilities, environment facilities and technical installations were adapted to the requirements of the time. Restorators have recovered antique furnitures, marble fireplaces and paintings. In many rooms, the original chandeliers are brought back. Since the former restoration in the 1960's these were collecting dust at the palace atticks. The kitchens were modernized, in which cooks can now provide large dinners and banquets for more than 300 guests.

During the renovation, many carpets and about a thousand of historical pieces from the collection of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte were refurbished and re-upholstered. Louis Napoleon was King of Holland at the beginning of the Nineteenth century and took the Amsterdam city hall in use as a residential palace (1808). During restoration work in the 1930's and 1960's the French Empire ameublements in the palace were thought to be of less importance. The then restorers namely wanted the building back into its original austere Seventeenth-century state, as it was when it was a city hall.

The original interior and furniture of Louis Napoleon does not clash with the building, says restoration architect Krijn van den Ende: "The Palace on the Dam will always symbolize the ultimate Seventeenth century classicism ánd the grand Empire style with which the history of the building as a royal palace started."

For the accommodation of guests and senior staff is also quite a few improvements have been made. There are fifty toilets and a few dozen bathrooms added. This means that users of staff apartments no longer are forced to go to another level to have a sanitary stop.

The restoration did cost about 80 million euros. At this moment preparations are under way to clean the grey exterior.

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9992931.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9994956.jpg)

According to the article in Trouw (newpaper) it's a bronze chandelier weighing 710 kilograms. But I am not sure if they mean these. *:-|

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9994957.jpg)

One of the new, comfortable, guest suites. This was once one of the offices of the Thesaurie Ordinaris and after that it was the sitting room of the Queen.

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9994958.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9994960.jpg)

It was opened by the Queen and her sister

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9998811.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9998812.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9998813.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9998838.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9998841.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/9998874.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/PPE09061320.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/PPE09061321.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/PPE09061322.jpg)
(http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x32/anirac_86/Castles/PPE09061326.jpg)

(http://i29.tinypic.com/2drcec4.jpg)
Versailles Palase                                               These palaces are so alike

(http://i32.tinypic.com/2lj2k2x.jpg)

Madrid Real Palace

As well as

(http://i27.tinypic.com/20r9oop.jpg)
Brussels real palace

(http://i30.tinypic.com/2cpyuqt.jpg)

Bickingham Palace

They're not too fond of North Jutland by the looks of things!

oops - didn't work.

Pictures from Chateau Cayx. Oh, I would kille for a castle like than in France. I love France. I can understand why Henri likes to spend so much time there.

http://www.billedbladet.dk/Kongelige/ArticleFolder/2010/3/Cayx-galleri.aspx

Takes my breath away.

By car - how far is it from Schackenborg Castle to Auntie Benedikte's German home - Berleburg ???

Just looked it up on google maps - it would be 6 hours 10 mins via car

Thanks, I had no idea it was that far ... guess Joachim doesn't just drop in to visit Auntie & Cousins

Let's talk Lux, shall we. 

(http://cdn.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19051&d=1065140510)

Inside the Grand Ducal Palace
(http://cdn.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33978&d=1073152615)

Another castle, I don't know the name, in Luxembourg
(http://cdn.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=157434&d=1118368502)(http://cdn.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=157436&d=1118368502)

(http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/9884123.jpg)

Palace in Brussels:
(http://cdn.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=267280&d=1103297983)
(http://cdn.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=267268&d=1102347996)(http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=267271&d=1102347996)(http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=267276&d=1102404507)(http://cdn.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=267259&d=1099664876)(http://cdn.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=267258&d=1099664876)

Interesting tidbit for you.

Buckingham Palace was built by John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham in 1703 and was a large townhouse known as "Buckingham House". It was acquired by George III in 1761 for his wife Queen Charlotte.

One of Sheffield's descendants is one Samantha Cameron, wife of the current British PM David Cameron. When they visited the palace requesting the Queen's permission to form a Government after the May election many commentators joked that Samantha was in fact, "coming home".
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-462313/Dave-Cameron-says-hes-touch-reality--wealth-blue-blood-wonder.html

Wonderful blog article about the palaces of British royal relatives.  It makes me wonder if the "grace and favour" approach will be extended to  Henry, Beatrice, and Eugenie and the other royal grandkids. 

http://theesotericcuriosa.blogspot.com/2010_08_21_archive.html

Thanks for that delightful link!! :star:

Pitti Palace (Italy)

(http://www.avilescd.org/personales/farinell/palacios/pitti/fotos/pitti.jpg)
(http://www.avilescd.org/personales/farinell/palacios/pitti/fotos/2.jpg)
(http://www.avilescd.org/personales/farinell/palacios/pitti/fotos/salon_prometeus.jpg)
(http://www.avilescd.org/personales/farinell/palacios/pitti/fotos/4.jpg)
(http://www.avilescd.org/personales/farinell/palacios/pitti/fotos/medicis.jpg)
(http://www.avilescd.org/personales/farinell/palacios/pitti/fotos/ammannati.jpg)

I visited Hever during my honeymoon---it was like a fairytale castle :icecream:

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x368/willowrr/Royals%202012/AmalienborgPalacebalcony.jpg)

Love :love: the balustrade on the Amalienborg Palace balcony.

Malaysian National Palace

(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTdJrkyoU9Hdv5pzz5VhDnw_qBTK9a3ALRkJ1dipNc6hmkwrXBiQ) (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qWdV4PGSTTU/SxKRXuiRDXI/AAAAAAAAAYA/HPNh5hDnioY/s400/4-palace-IstNegara-07.jpg) (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWdV4PGSTTU/SxKRXAj4d3I/AAAAAAAAAXw/PizQ7BX9ArU/s400/4-palace-istnegara-04.jpg) (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWdV4PGSTTU/SxKRXzCt_OI/AAAAAAAAAYI/2R8vDWQUQa4/s400/4-palace-istnegara-09.jpg) (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWdV4PGSTTU/SxKRXW3vPiI/AAAAAAAAAX4/jxA-I5xB5LQ/s400/4-palace-istnegara-06.jpg) (http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS7SxIBrGiqNyYxJiuCTRLEO6-TVS3bG4KvrwTWFVoXOkVCl_xQ) (http://)

On our last day in Wienna yesterday, we went to see Shönbrunn Castle. It was just beautiful.  :love:

Mozart played in this room when he was five years old.

(http://theredlist.fr/media/database/architecture/history/architecture-europeene/baroque/chateau-de-schonbrunn/004_chateau-de-schonbrunn_theredlist.jpg)
(http://www.haug-atelier.de/images/vernissage-schloss-schoenbrunn.JPG)

I wasn´t overwhelmed with the look of the castle from the outside.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Schloss_Schoenbrunn_August_2006_406.jpg)

On the inside, on the other hand, it is stunning!

(http://www.lessing-photo.com/p3/140104/14010461.jpg)

(http://english.habsburger.net/module-en/a-family-presents-itself-maria-theresa-and-the-image-of-the-dynasty/eine-familie-stellt-sich-vor-2013-maria-theresia-und-das-image-der-dynastie/MB-ST_R2-MOD1-07.jpg/image_large)

(http://www.sevenstarsandstripes.com/content/magazine/LeMeridien/SchlossSchoenbrunn-02.jpg)

(http://english.habsburger.net/module-en/der-reiz-des-fremden-2013-habsburg-und-die-china-mode/schoenbrunn-exotisch/MB-ST_R5-MOD10-05.jpg/image_large)

(http://english.habsburger.net/module-en/maria-theresia-kaiserin-und-innenarchitektin/maria-theresia-kaiserin-und-innenarchitektin/MB-ST_K19-MOD1-03.jpg/image_large)

(http://www.schoenbrunn.at/uploads/pics/Fruehstueckskabinett_04.jpg)

The Schloss Park is HUGE.


(http://www.alpinenblog.de/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/im-park-von-schloss-schonbrunn-by-ivan-c.jpg)

(http://img.fotocommunity.com/photos/7336247.jpg)

(http://bilder.eberhardt-travel.de/Laender/Oesterreich/Wien_Schoenbrunn_Schlosspark6.jpg)

(http://img.fotocommunity.com/photos/11433452.jpg)

(http://photos.igougo.com/images/p153054-Vienna-The_Maze.jpg)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/0/02/Schlosspark_Schoenbrunn_Panorama_3.jpg)

(http://v7.cache4.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/18767576.jpg?redirect_counter=2)

(http://www.medienwerkstatt-online.de/lws_wissen/bilder/21943-3.jpg)

Borrekens Castle in Belgium   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/559924166156186192

Bojnice Castle is in Bojnice, Slovak Republic. Its first owner was Matthew III Csak. He received it in 1302 from King Laszlo (Ladislaus) V of Hungary. In the 15th century Bojnice Castle was owned by King Matthias Corvinus.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfPEPCKh6O8

Buda Castle is in Budapest, Hungary.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSZpmsGLCbE

Vajdahunyad Castle is in the City Park of Budapest, Hungary.       
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/118219558942925632   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6ZpkusjYZg

Kasteel de Haar (Castle de Haar) in NL:

(https://www.histvervdmh.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/kasteel-de-haar-uitidee-2.jpg)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Haar_Castle

Kasteel Doornburg (Doornburg Castle) in NL:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Kasteel_doornenburg.jpg/250px-Kasteel_doornenburg.jpg)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doornenburg_Castle


Slot Loevestein (Loevestein Castle) in NL:

This castle is well known in Dutch history as the "prison" for  eminent lawyer, poet and politician Hugo de Groot. According to the story he and his wife escaped from Loevestein Castle in a book chest that was regularly brought for them

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Slot_loevestein_luchtfoto.jpg/220px-Slot_loevestein_luchtfoto.jpg)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loevestein_Castle

Peles Castle,Romania.
(https://daybyme.com/uploads/items/1504473538CAVYI1fDGk.jpg)
(https://previews.123rf.com/images/jordanrusev/jordanrusev1407/jordanrusev140700044/29852688-peles-castle-sinaia-romania.jpg)
(https://romaniatourstore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Peles-Castle-Inside.jpg)
(https://romaniatourstore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Visit-Peles-Castle-inside.jpg)
(https://rolandia.eu/webroot/fileman/Uploads/Images/Peles_Castle_Turkish_Room.jpg)

Wow  :love:

Nymphenburg Palace is in Munich, Bavaria. It was the main summer residence of the rulers of Baden.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3m5Dg9N-m8

Ohhh I want this one! How magical!

Sermion Castle near Lake Garda in Italy     
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/277886239477884065     
 
The Castle of Viipuri in Finland was built in 1293.     
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/87046205267917267

Esterhazy Palace is a palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. It was constructed in the late 13th century, and came under the ownership of the Hungarian Esterhazy family in 1622.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSBzVmphF-0   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTj0qWuvPYA

Castle of La Mota is in Medina del Campo, in the province of Valladolid, Spain. In 1475 it passed into the hands of King Ferdinand V and Queen Isabella I.   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/531917405966985349

Vrana Palace is located on the outskirts of Sofia, Bulgaria. The construction of the royal palace took place between 1912 and 1914.   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/470837336025227145

Challain Castle in France has 365 windows, one for each day of the year.   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/328692472777450837     
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KXRbDSzvsk

Oscarshall Castle in Norway was commissioned by King Oscar I and Queen Josephine and was completed in 1852.   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/367254544585185868

Burg Kreuzenstein is a castle near Leobendorf in Lower Austria, Austria. It was constructed in the 19th century by the Wilczek family.   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/444167581979910365

Fascinating,    debbydeb. King Amanullah Khan built a palace of ostentation after securing the independence of Afghanistan. The transition from duty to privilege:

"From the earliest times, walls surrounded cities and palaces, often of enormous thickness and of great height, some were surrounded by a moat, others flanked by towers. Some ancient fortifications date from periods so remote as the walls of Babylon and the curtain wall of Ashur from about 1600 B.C.

The main function of all castles was defense, everything else was secondary. They were always surrounded by a curtain wall, which was often supplemented by a reinforced shield wall at strategic points. Crenellated battlements and arrow slits protected the defenders, and attackers often also had to overcome a series of several gates. The main entrance was protected by a drawbridge and machicolations projecting over the gate, from which boiling liquids and missiles could be dropped on the hapless foes below. The final refuge of the castle residents was the stronghold, or keep. It was the tallest and strongest building within the walls, with a high entrance accessible only via a removable ladder or wooden bridge. In addition to being a watchtower and the centre point of the entire castle, the keep was also a status symbol. The main residential building (great hall) was called the Palas. "

http://castles.org/dokuwiki/architecture/history

The Castle of Argenteuil is a 300-hectacre estate located in Waterloo, Belgium, where three castles have been built. Both Prince Charles, Count of Flanders and his brother, King Leopold III once resided on the estate.   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/779263541747148529

Saumur Castle in France   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/339177415658185634

Tata Castle in Hungary. The Esterhazy family used to live there.   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775856890947

Dresden Castle was the residence of the electors (1547-1806) and kings (1806-1918) of Saxony.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o2NQu4mU48

Vorselaar Castle in Belgium       
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/324751823109957429

Burg Kreuzenstein near Leobendorf in Austria   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/444167581979910365

The Pena Palace is a castle in Sao Pedro de Penaferrim in Portugal.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bIZK2R-0UM

 :star: ! I

Cyril, where do you find these amazing treasures!  I look for your posts each day because you bring great new things.

     
 
Curtains, Thank you for the kind words!  ::-)) ::-)) ::-))

Nesvizh Castle in Nesvizh, Belgium   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeL9jJkgmhE

Alnwick Castle is the family home of the Percy's, Earls of Northumberland. The castle itself is quite beautiful, the library is huge and The Poison Garden is famous.

(https://www.coquetcottages.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/alnwick-castle-percy-lion.jpg)

(https://www.ripleys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/poison-garden-ccDaveClark.jpg)

(https://assets.atlasobscura.com/media/W1siZiIsInVwbG9hZHMvcGxhY2VfaW1hZ2VzL2Y2MmY1NTJiN2M2MzVjZDM0MF8xODg0MDU3X2Y0ODcxZDEzLmpwZyJdLFsicCIsInRodW1iIiwiMTIwMHg-Il0sWyJwIiwiY29udmVydCIsIi1xdWFsaXR5IDgxIC1hdXRvLW9yaWVudCJdXQ/1884057_f4871d13.jpg)

(http://precedence.info/wp-content/uploads/castle-interiors-alnwick-castle-interiors-with-history-united-kingdom.jpg)

I believe it was a boy from this family who was engaged to Anne Boleyn when she hook Henry VIII's eye. She would have had a far better and longer life in this castle than at Windsor.

Yes, Henry Percy. He was married of to Mary Talbot once Henry VIII caught Anne's eye.

Kreuzenstein Castle is located in Austria.   
http://www.mustseehowto.blogspot.com/2013/06/kreuzenstein-castle-austria.html   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES5o0UnpqiU

Kinnettles Castle is located in Forfar, Angus, Scotland.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFt0-DagFdc

Vorselaar Castle in Belgium   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/324751823109957429

Andrassy Castle in Hungary   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPO7vyg3xgo

And the current heir, George Percy, was once “linked” to Pippster Midds (they were room mates at Uni...... hmmm, sounds familiar  :-)#) Wisteria Sisters, indeed!

Forgach Castle in Hungary   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/289074869809735856

Schloss Langenburg was the castle wherePrincess Feodora and her husband Prince Ernst I, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg resided.   
http://www.schloss-langenburg.de/schloss-langenburg

One of the first autotypes of Belvedere Castle in Vienna, Austria: 1884   
http://www.alamy.com/one-of-the-first-autotypes-of-the-belvedere-palace-in-vienna-historical-photograph-1884-image231872225.html

The Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander used to be the Spanish Royal Family summer palace until 1930 (long before Sofia decided she preferred Mallorca).  Apparently Queen Ena loved the palace and Santander.

(https://guias-viajar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Santander-Magdalena-FB-008-2.jpg)

(https://palaciomagdalena.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/247539_568156279890868_661650042_n2.jpg)

No wonder. I would too. It's gorgeous. Thanks for the pictures. :star:

What a glorious place!
Thank you for those photos, Isabel.  :star:

Burghousen Castle is in Upper Bavaria, Germany.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbN1OA7I3GM

Trakai Castle is around 28kn outside Vilnius, Lithuania.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrqDJk3ufvg

Forchtenstein Castle in Burgenland, Austria   
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/601446775

Pronay Castle in Alsopeteny, Hungary         
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5ii6BHOHGs

Schloss Moyland is in Bedburg-Hau, Germany.     
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwyq2RBqejo

St. Olaf's Castle in Finland   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q76EjKjKXcw

Castle of St. Sebastian in Cadiz, Andalusia, Spain   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6doihpOUac

The Weilburg Castle in Hesse, Germany     
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKHCoOoDhWU

Visegrad Citadel/Castle is known as the castle in which King Charles I of Hungary settled in. It is at Visegrad, Hungary.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL_SkKamyas

The exterior of the Imperial Palace at Petropolis, Brazil   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61GyYb0Of-8

The castle Schonhausen in Niederschonhausen was the summer residence of Queen Elizabeth Christine during the reign of King Frederick II of Prussia.   
http://www.gettyimages.com/license/1211130636

Ludwigslust Palace is in the town of Ludwigslust, Mecklenburg-Varpommer. It was the residence of Grand Duke Christian Ludwig of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58X2uXv9cB0

Castle of Astypalaia in Chora, Greece     
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlciiVfgxsQ

Thank you for this video!
I've never been on Astypalaia and I want to visit it badly!
Astypalaia was under the ruling of Querini family after the 4th Crusade (although according to some rources, they became rulers much later, in the 15th century). Querini were among the most important Venetians families. The island was conquered by the Ottomans in 1527 but in the late 18th century, a Querini member decided to add "Stampalia" (from Astypalaia) to his last name, to distinguish himself from another branch of the family.


I've never thought to contribute to this topic because castles in Greece are mostly ruined but here it is, a video from amazing Mystras!
I mentioned the area a few days ago, in the greek board. Mystras is in Peloponnese, near Sparta. It was original founded in the middle of 13th century, by the Franks, but 10 years later it was passed to the Byzantium. In 1830, the regency gave orders to destroy the city in order to force the people to leave the unapproachable place and go down to the valley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UDwHGecKJI

Nafpaktos, another castle built by the Venetians!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKWYR9lx0Is


And raw, wonderful, magical Monemvasia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWUnk66JKg8

An old Swedish castle in Vyborg, Russia   
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-old-swedish-medieval-castle-in-vyborg-russia-87557397.html

A French castle in Argentina   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/244109242291602945

Ohhh that's so pretty! I'll have to see if I can find out more about it.

Jaunmoku Castle is located near Lidums, Latvia.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGjh8gNm8Vs

An 18th century castle in Fife, Scotland   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/5488830785733325

Siklos Castle is a medieval castle in Siklos, Hungary   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3-CxkwCx70

Nesvizh Castle in Belarus     
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcUVBMpBUXk

Raudondvaris Castle is located in the town of Raudondvaris, Lithuania. It has belonged to the kings of Poland and the Grand Dukes of Lithuania until 1549.     
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-0BPU5J-4Y

Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen, Thuringia, Germany     
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-elisabethenburg-palace-in-meiningen-57579609.html

Buda Castle is the castle of the Hungarian kings in Budapest, Hungary.     
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_V_8wc0t6Y

Early autotype of Beaufort Castle in Beaufort,m Luxembourg in 1884   
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-early-autotype-of-beaufort-castle-36192746.html

Bamburgh Castle   
http://www.alamy.com/bamburgh-castle-image231169424.html

Voltice Castle is in the Czech Republic.     
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/voltice-castle-23514189.jpg

Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City, Mexico   
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-chapultepec-castle-15576203.html

Sangaste Castle in Estonia     
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/14214555054962624

Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn, Estonia   
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/804948133395220783

Fisherman's Bastion or Halaszbastya on the Buda Castle hill in Budapest, Hungary   
http://www.alamy.com/fishermans-bastion-on-the-buda-castle-hill-in-budapest-image221638553.html

Castillo de Chapultepec is located in Mexico City, Mexico     
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tda4O3gRyu0

The Royal Palace in Athens, Greece in 1962   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKOwaW7oDnA