Euxinograd – former royal summer residence located on the
Black Sea coast, in the outskirts of
Varna. The palace is currently a governmental and presidential retreat hosting cabinet meetings in the summer and offering access for tourists to several villas and hotels as well as the gardens.
Sarmadzhiev House - located in central Sofia, it serves as the official residence of the Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria.
British House - a palace in the centre of Sofia, serves as the official residence for the British Ambassador to Bulgaria. It was used by
Prince Charles during his visits in 1998 and in 2003.[9]
Kuyumdzhiev House - built for the prominent Bulgarian businessman Angel Kuyumdzhiev, it serves as the official residence of the French Ambassador to Bulgaria.[10]
Other Historic Palaces
The following are historic strongholds throughout the years in the different capitals of
Bulgaria. They often housed the royal and patriarchal palaces and are enclosed in defensive walls around their perimeter.
The English word "palace" is used to translated the Chinese word 宮 (pronounced "gōng" in
Mandarin). This character represents two rooms connected (呂), under a roof (宀). Originally the character applied to any residence or mansion, but starting with the
Qin dynasty (3rd century BC) it was used only for the residence of the emperor and members of the imperial family. Chinese palaces are different from post-Renaissance European palaces in the sense that they are not made up of one building only (however big and convoluted the building may be), but are in fact huge spaces surrounded by a wall and containing large separated halls (殿 diàn) for ceremonies and official business, as well as smaller buildings, galleries, courtyards, gardens, and outbuildings, more like the Roman or Carolingian palatium.
List of Chinese imperial palaces, in chronological order
This is an incomplete list of Chinese palaces.
Xianyang Palace (咸陽宮), in (Qin) Xianyang (咸陽), now 15 km/9 miles east of modern
Xianyang,
Shaanxi province: this was the royal palace of the
state of Qin before the Chinese unification, and then the palace of the
First Emperor when China was unified.
Epang Palace (阿房宮 – probable meaning: "The Palace on the Hill"), 20 km/12 miles south of (Qin) Xianyang (咸陽), now 15 km/9 miles west of
Xi'an (西安),
Shaanxi province: the fabulous imperial palace built by the First Emperor in replacement of Xianyang Palace.
Weiyang Palace (未央宮 – "The Endless Palace"), in (Han)
Chang'an (長安), now 7 km/4 miles northeast of downtown
Xi'an (西安),
Shaanxi province: imperial palace of the prestigious
Western Han dynasty for two centuries. This is the largest palace ever built on Earth,[12] covering 4.8 km2 (1,200 acres), which is 6.7 times the size of the
Forbidden City, or 11 times the size of the
Vatican City.
Southern Palace (南宮) and
Northern Palace (北宮), in
Luoyang (洛陽),
Henan province: imperial palaces of the
Eastern Han Dynasty for two centuries, the Southern Palace being used for court hearings and audiences, Northern Palace being the private residence of the emperor and his concubines.
Taiji Palace (太極宮 – "Palace of the
Supreme Ultimate"), also known as the Western Apartments (西内), in (Tang)
Chang'an (長安), now downtown
Xi'an (西安),
Shaanxi province: imperial palace during the
Sui dynasty (who called it Daxing Palace – 大興宮, "Palace of Great Prosperity") and in the beginning of the
Tang dynasty (until A.D. 663). Area: 4.2 km2 (1,040 acres), imperial section proper: 1.92 km2 (474 acres).
Daming Palace (大明宮 – "Palace of Great Brightness"), also known as the Eastern Apartments (東内), in (Tang)
Chang'an (長安), now downtown
Xi'an (西安),
Shaanxi province: imperial palace of the
Tang dynasty after A.D. 663 (it was briefly named Penglai Palace (蓬萊宮) between 663 and 705), but the prestigious Taiji Palace remained used for major state ceremonies such as coronations. Area: 3.11 km2 (768 acres), almost 4.5 times the size of the
Forbidden City.
Forbidden City (紫禁城), now known in China as Beijing's Old Palace (北京故宫), in Jingshi (京師), now called
Beijing (北京): imperial palace of the
Ming dynasty and
Qing dynasty from 1421 until 1924. Area: 720,000 m2 (178 acres). The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace currently in existence.[13][14][15]
Apart from the main imperial palace,
Chinese dynasties also had several other imperial palaces in the capital city where the empress, crown prince, or other members of the imperial family dwelled. There also existed palaces outside of the capital city called "away palaces" (離宮) where the emperors resided when traveling. The habit also developed of building garden estates in the countryside surrounding the capital city, where the emperors retired at times to get away from the rigid etiquette of the imperial palace, or simply to escape from the summer heat inside their capital. This practice reached a zenith with the
Qing dynasty, whose emperors built the fabulous Imperial Gardens (御園), now known in China as the Gardens of Perfect Brightness (圓明園), and better known in English as the
Old Summer Palace. The emperors of the Qing Dynasty resided and worked in the Imperial Gardens, 8 km/5 miles outside of the walls of
Beijing, the Forbidden City inside Beijing being used only for formal ceremonies.
These gardens were made up of three gardens: the Garden of Perfect Brightness proper, the Garden of Eternal Spring (長春園), and the Elegant Spring Garden (綺春園); they covered a huge area of 3.5 km2 (865 acres), almost 5 times the size of the
Forbidden City, and 8 times the size of the
Vatican City. comprising hundreds of halls, pavilions, temples, galleries, gardens, lakes, etc. Several famous landscapes of southern China had been reproduced in the Imperial Gardens, hundreds of invaluable Chinese art masterpieces and antiquities were stored in the halls, making the Imperial Gardens one of the largest museum in the world. Some unique copies of literary work and compilations were also stored inside the Imperial Gardens. In 1860, during the
Second Opium War, the British and French expeditionary forces looted the
Old Summer Palace. Then on October 18, 1860, in order to "punish" the imperial court, which had refused to allow Western embassies inside
Beijing, the British general
Lord Elgin – with protestations from the French – purposely ordered to set fire to the huge complex which burned to the ground. It took 3500 British troops to set the entire place ablaze and took three whole days to burn. The burning of the Gardens of Perfect Brightness is still a very sensitive issue in China today.
Following this cultural catastrophe, the imperial court was forced to relocate to the old and austere
Forbidden City where it stayed until 1924, when the
Last Emperor was expelled by a republican army. Empress dowager
Cixi (慈禧太后) built the
Summer Palace (頤和園 – "The Garden of Nurtured Harmony") near the
Old Summer Palace, but on a much smaller scale than the
Old Summer Palace. There are currently some projects in China to rebuild the Imperial Gardens, but this appears as a colossal undertaking, and no rebuilding has started yet.
19th century Kasr al-Mounira that became the French archeological center (IFAO).[52]
19th century Kasr al-Amira Iffet Hassan that was later purchased by Princess Shuvekar Ibrahim before becoming the official seat of the council of ministers.[52]
19th century El-Walda Pasha palace (now demolished).[52]
1807 Muhammad Ali's Shubra Palace (Ain Shams faculty of agriculture)
1827 Harem Palaces at the Citadel of Cairo (now the Military museum)[55]
1850s Kasr al-Ismailia, Cairo (now demolished, it was in the area of the Mogama El-Tahrir government complex)[52]
National Palace *demolished, 2 years after 2010 Haiti earthquake, plans to rebuild have not been set or disclosed – residence of the
president of Haiti
Laxmi Vilas Palace (also known as Anandbagh Palace) – seat of the Maharaja of
Darbhanga, donated to Kameshwar Singh Sanskrit University. Now houses office of vice-chancellor and other officials of the university.
Dasman Palace – Established in 1904, Sheikh
Ahmed Al-Sabah, the tenth ruler of Kuwait in 1930 made it his official residence, It is currently one of Kuwait's historic palaces.
Mishref Palace – Located in
Mishref and was Built by Sheikh
Mubarak Al-Sabah in 1900, it was restored in the early 1940s.
Naif Palace – built In 1919, during the reign of Sheikh Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. It is currently the Building of
Al Asimah Governorate.
National Palace, Mexico City – former viceregal and presidential palace; currently serves as the seat of the executive, and houses State ceremonies, such as receptions, banquets, and the Independence celebration.
Tūrangawaewae – official residence of the head of the
Māori King Movement currently
King Tūheitia Paki. The complex consists of Mahinarangi, Turongo and other substantial buildings used by the Kingitanga for a number of larger Iwi gatherings.
Apart from the large complex at
Turangawaewae Marae located in the town of
Ngaruawahia, the previous
Māori Monarch
Te Atairangikaahu had a home at Waahi Marae in Huntly where she lived for most of her 40-year reign with her consort
Whatumoana Paki. The Māori King or Queen are required to attend 33 Poukai annually conducted at Marae loyal to the Kingitangi movement. Many of these Marae maintain residences for the Māori King or Queen for them to use during such visits.
Plaza de España - the site of the palace of the Spanish Governors of Guam. The palace itself was largely destroyed during the
liberation of Guam however many outlying structures still stand and there are plans to possibly reconstruct the palace in the future.[74]
Brick Palace – first Western style building in Hawaii, commissioned by
Kamehameha I for his wife
Queen Kaahumanu in Lahaina, and the islands first brick structure
Haleʻākala – royal estate of High Chief
Pākī, the former grass hut complex on the same site was known as ʻAikupika
Halekamani – royal residence of
Princess Nāhienaena in Lahaina, later sold to Gorham D. Gilman
Haliʻimaile – royal residence of
Princess Victoria Kamāmalu and her brother Prince
Lot Kapuāiwa until he succeed as Kamehameha V, in Honolulu, on the corner of King and Richards streets
Helumoa – royal residence of
Kamehameha V at Waikiki amongst the coconut groves
Kīnaʻu Hale – wooden
bungalow of Queen Emma's uncle (either
James Kanehoa or
Keoni Ana); located near Iolani Palace, it served as the chamberlain's residence in Kamehameha V's reign and was the place where Kalakaua was inaugurated as King of Hawaii.
Marine Residence – royal residence of
Lunalilo at Waikiki, where he died, willed to Queen Emma.
Mauna Kilohana – royal estate of
Queen Emma in
Lāwaʻi,
Kauaʻi inherited from her uncle Keoni Ana.
Muolaulani – royal residence of
Queen Lili'uokalani at Kapâlama, now the site of Lili`uokalani Children's Center
Pualeilani – royal residence of King Kalakaua, Queen Kapiolani and finally Prince Kuhio, who willed it to the City of Honolulu; the property Uluniu was purchased by the king from Princess Keelikolani in 1880 for $400
Keʻalohilani – royal residence of
Queen Lili'uokalani at Waikiki, willed to her by her grandfather
ʻAikanaka; she composed most of her works in this house
Waipiʻo Palace – royal grasshut palace of the ancient kings of
Hawaii (island), most significant for the four nioi tree columns which supported it, according to oral traditions; later destroyed by the King Kahekili II of Maui
Wānanakoa – Private residence of
Bernice Pauahi Bishop and
Charles Reed Bishop at the beginning of their marriage; it was a small cottage located in the Nuʻuanu Valley where the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii stands now
Proprietary House – Home of both the Proprietary Governors of New Jersey from 1766 to 1773 and the Royal Governor of New Jersey,
William Franklin from 1774 to 1776.
Spanish Governor's Palace – official residence of the governors of
Tejas, a territory of the
Viceroyalty of New Spain. Located in San Antonio, it is considered the sole remaining example of an aristocratic early Spanish house in Texas.[75]
Legislative Palace of San Lazaro, Mexico City – official Seat of the bicameral Honorable Mexican Congress of the Union (Senate and Chamber of Deputies), but ordinary seat of the Chamber of Deputies
^Artak Ghulyan.
"Castles (Palaces) Of Meliks Of Artsakh And Siunik". Archived from
the original on 2021-04-13. The melikal palaces have mainly been the defence point, the special citadel of the residence-center, and they have also been called fortresses for this reason (Kashatagh, Kaghakategh, Mokhratagh, Horekavan, Gulatagh, Shushi).
^
abRabat, Nasser (1991). The Citadel of Cairo, 1176-1341: reconstructing architecture from texts. Ph.D. thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architecture.
Euxinograd – former royal summer residence located on the
Black Sea coast, in the outskirts of
Varna. The palace is currently a governmental and presidential retreat hosting cabinet meetings in the summer and offering access for tourists to several villas and hotels as well as the gardens.
Sarmadzhiev House - located in central Sofia, it serves as the official residence of the Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria.
British House - a palace in the centre of Sofia, serves as the official residence for the British Ambassador to Bulgaria. It was used by
Prince Charles during his visits in 1998 and in 2003.[9]
Kuyumdzhiev House - built for the prominent Bulgarian businessman Angel Kuyumdzhiev, it serves as the official residence of the French Ambassador to Bulgaria.[10]
Other Historic Palaces
The following are historic strongholds throughout the years in the different capitals of
Bulgaria. They often housed the royal and patriarchal palaces and are enclosed in defensive walls around their perimeter.
The English word "palace" is used to translated the Chinese word 宮 (pronounced "gōng" in
Mandarin). This character represents two rooms connected (呂), under a roof (宀). Originally the character applied to any residence or mansion, but starting with the
Qin dynasty (3rd century BC) it was used only for the residence of the emperor and members of the imperial family. Chinese palaces are different from post-Renaissance European palaces in the sense that they are not made up of one building only (however big and convoluted the building may be), but are in fact huge spaces surrounded by a wall and containing large separated halls (殿 diàn) for ceremonies and official business, as well as smaller buildings, galleries, courtyards, gardens, and outbuildings, more like the Roman or Carolingian palatium.
List of Chinese imperial palaces, in chronological order
This is an incomplete list of Chinese palaces.
Xianyang Palace (咸陽宮), in (Qin) Xianyang (咸陽), now 15 km/9 miles east of modern
Xianyang,
Shaanxi province: this was the royal palace of the
state of Qin before the Chinese unification, and then the palace of the
First Emperor when China was unified.
Epang Palace (阿房宮 – probable meaning: "The Palace on the Hill"), 20 km/12 miles south of (Qin) Xianyang (咸陽), now 15 km/9 miles west of
Xi'an (西安),
Shaanxi province: the fabulous imperial palace built by the First Emperor in replacement of Xianyang Palace.
Weiyang Palace (未央宮 – "The Endless Palace"), in (Han)
Chang'an (長安), now 7 km/4 miles northeast of downtown
Xi'an (西安),
Shaanxi province: imperial palace of the prestigious
Western Han dynasty for two centuries. This is the largest palace ever built on Earth,[12] covering 4.8 km2 (1,200 acres), which is 6.7 times the size of the
Forbidden City, or 11 times the size of the
Vatican City.
Southern Palace (南宮) and
Northern Palace (北宮), in
Luoyang (洛陽),
Henan province: imperial palaces of the
Eastern Han Dynasty for two centuries, the Southern Palace being used for court hearings and audiences, Northern Palace being the private residence of the emperor and his concubines.
Taiji Palace (太極宮 – "Palace of the
Supreme Ultimate"), also known as the Western Apartments (西内), in (Tang)
Chang'an (長安), now downtown
Xi'an (西安),
Shaanxi province: imperial palace during the
Sui dynasty (who called it Daxing Palace – 大興宮, "Palace of Great Prosperity") and in the beginning of the
Tang dynasty (until A.D. 663). Area: 4.2 km2 (1,040 acres), imperial section proper: 1.92 km2 (474 acres).
Daming Palace (大明宮 – "Palace of Great Brightness"), also known as the Eastern Apartments (東内), in (Tang)
Chang'an (長安), now downtown
Xi'an (西安),
Shaanxi province: imperial palace of the
Tang dynasty after A.D. 663 (it was briefly named Penglai Palace (蓬萊宮) between 663 and 705), but the prestigious Taiji Palace remained used for major state ceremonies such as coronations. Area: 3.11 km2 (768 acres), almost 4.5 times the size of the
Forbidden City.
Forbidden City (紫禁城), now known in China as Beijing's Old Palace (北京故宫), in Jingshi (京師), now called
Beijing (北京): imperial palace of the
Ming dynasty and
Qing dynasty from 1421 until 1924. Area: 720,000 m2 (178 acres). The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace currently in existence.[13][14][15]
Apart from the main imperial palace,
Chinese dynasties also had several other imperial palaces in the capital city where the empress, crown prince, or other members of the imperial family dwelled. There also existed palaces outside of the capital city called "away palaces" (離宮) where the emperors resided when traveling. The habit also developed of building garden estates in the countryside surrounding the capital city, where the emperors retired at times to get away from the rigid etiquette of the imperial palace, or simply to escape from the summer heat inside their capital. This practice reached a zenith with the
Qing dynasty, whose emperors built the fabulous Imperial Gardens (御園), now known in China as the Gardens of Perfect Brightness (圓明園), and better known in English as the
Old Summer Palace. The emperors of the Qing Dynasty resided and worked in the Imperial Gardens, 8 km/5 miles outside of the walls of
Beijing, the Forbidden City inside Beijing being used only for formal ceremonies.
These gardens were made up of three gardens: the Garden of Perfect Brightness proper, the Garden of Eternal Spring (長春園), and the Elegant Spring Garden (綺春園); they covered a huge area of 3.5 km2 (865 acres), almost 5 times the size of the
Forbidden City, and 8 times the size of the
Vatican City. comprising hundreds of halls, pavilions, temples, galleries, gardens, lakes, etc. Several famous landscapes of southern China had been reproduced in the Imperial Gardens, hundreds of invaluable Chinese art masterpieces and antiquities were stored in the halls, making the Imperial Gardens one of the largest museum in the world. Some unique copies of literary work and compilations were also stored inside the Imperial Gardens. In 1860, during the
Second Opium War, the British and French expeditionary forces looted the
Old Summer Palace. Then on October 18, 1860, in order to "punish" the imperial court, which had refused to allow Western embassies inside
Beijing, the British general
Lord Elgin – with protestations from the French – purposely ordered to set fire to the huge complex which burned to the ground. It took 3500 British troops to set the entire place ablaze and took three whole days to burn. The burning of the Gardens of Perfect Brightness is still a very sensitive issue in China today.
Following this cultural catastrophe, the imperial court was forced to relocate to the old and austere
Forbidden City where it stayed until 1924, when the
Last Emperor was expelled by a republican army. Empress dowager
Cixi (慈禧太后) built the
Summer Palace (頤和園 – "The Garden of Nurtured Harmony") near the
Old Summer Palace, but on a much smaller scale than the
Old Summer Palace. There are currently some projects in China to rebuild the Imperial Gardens, but this appears as a colossal undertaking, and no rebuilding has started yet.
19th century Kasr al-Mounira that became the French archeological center (IFAO).[52]
19th century Kasr al-Amira Iffet Hassan that was later purchased by Princess Shuvekar Ibrahim before becoming the official seat of the council of ministers.[52]
19th century El-Walda Pasha palace (now demolished).[52]
1807 Muhammad Ali's Shubra Palace (Ain Shams faculty of agriculture)
1827 Harem Palaces at the Citadel of Cairo (now the Military museum)[55]
1850s Kasr al-Ismailia, Cairo (now demolished, it was in the area of the Mogama El-Tahrir government complex)[52]
National Palace *demolished, 2 years after 2010 Haiti earthquake, plans to rebuild have not been set or disclosed – residence of the
president of Haiti
Laxmi Vilas Palace (also known as Anandbagh Palace) – seat of the Maharaja of
Darbhanga, donated to Kameshwar Singh Sanskrit University. Now houses office of vice-chancellor and other officials of the university.
Dasman Palace – Established in 1904, Sheikh
Ahmed Al-Sabah, the tenth ruler of Kuwait in 1930 made it his official residence, It is currently one of Kuwait's historic palaces.
Mishref Palace – Located in
Mishref and was Built by Sheikh
Mubarak Al-Sabah in 1900, it was restored in the early 1940s.
Naif Palace – built In 1919, during the reign of Sheikh Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. It is currently the Building of
Al Asimah Governorate.
National Palace, Mexico City – former viceregal and presidential palace; currently serves as the seat of the executive, and houses State ceremonies, such as receptions, banquets, and the Independence celebration.
Tūrangawaewae – official residence of the head of the
Māori King Movement currently
King Tūheitia Paki. The complex consists of Mahinarangi, Turongo and other substantial buildings used by the Kingitanga for a number of larger Iwi gatherings.
Apart from the large complex at
Turangawaewae Marae located in the town of
Ngaruawahia, the previous
Māori Monarch
Te Atairangikaahu had a home at Waahi Marae in Huntly where she lived for most of her 40-year reign with her consort
Whatumoana Paki. The Māori King or Queen are required to attend 33 Poukai annually conducted at Marae loyal to the Kingitangi movement. Many of these Marae maintain residences for the Māori King or Queen for them to use during such visits.
Plaza de España - the site of the palace of the Spanish Governors of Guam. The palace itself was largely destroyed during the
liberation of Guam however many outlying structures still stand and there are plans to possibly reconstruct the palace in the future.[74]
Brick Palace – first Western style building in Hawaii, commissioned by
Kamehameha I for his wife
Queen Kaahumanu in Lahaina, and the islands first brick structure
Haleʻākala – royal estate of High Chief
Pākī, the former grass hut complex on the same site was known as ʻAikupika
Halekamani – royal residence of
Princess Nāhienaena in Lahaina, later sold to Gorham D. Gilman
Haliʻimaile – royal residence of
Princess Victoria Kamāmalu and her brother Prince
Lot Kapuāiwa until he succeed as Kamehameha V, in Honolulu, on the corner of King and Richards streets
Helumoa – royal residence of
Kamehameha V at Waikiki amongst the coconut groves
Kīnaʻu Hale – wooden
bungalow of Queen Emma's uncle (either
James Kanehoa or
Keoni Ana); located near Iolani Palace, it served as the chamberlain's residence in Kamehameha V's reign and was the place where Kalakaua was inaugurated as King of Hawaii.
Marine Residence – royal residence of
Lunalilo at Waikiki, where he died, willed to Queen Emma.
Mauna Kilohana – royal estate of
Queen Emma in
Lāwaʻi,
Kauaʻi inherited from her uncle Keoni Ana.
Muolaulani – royal residence of
Queen Lili'uokalani at Kapâlama, now the site of Lili`uokalani Children's Center
Pualeilani – royal residence of King Kalakaua, Queen Kapiolani and finally Prince Kuhio, who willed it to the City of Honolulu; the property Uluniu was purchased by the king from Princess Keelikolani in 1880 for $400
Keʻalohilani – royal residence of
Queen Lili'uokalani at Waikiki, willed to her by her grandfather
ʻAikanaka; she composed most of her works in this house
Waipiʻo Palace – royal grasshut palace of the ancient kings of
Hawaii (island), most significant for the four nioi tree columns which supported it, according to oral traditions; later destroyed by the King Kahekili II of Maui
Wānanakoa – Private residence of
Bernice Pauahi Bishop and
Charles Reed Bishop at the beginning of their marriage; it was a small cottage located in the Nuʻuanu Valley where the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii stands now
Proprietary House – Home of both the Proprietary Governors of New Jersey from 1766 to 1773 and the Royal Governor of New Jersey,
William Franklin from 1774 to 1776.
Spanish Governor's Palace – official residence of the governors of
Tejas, a territory of the
Viceroyalty of New Spain. Located in San Antonio, it is considered the sole remaining example of an aristocratic early Spanish house in Texas.[75]
Legislative Palace of San Lazaro, Mexico City – official Seat of the bicameral Honorable Mexican Congress of the Union (Senate and Chamber of Deputies), but ordinary seat of the Chamber of Deputies
^Artak Ghulyan.
"Castles (Palaces) Of Meliks Of Artsakh And Siunik". Archived from
the original on 2021-04-13. The melikal palaces have mainly been the defence point, the special citadel of the residence-center, and they have also been called fortresses for this reason (Kashatagh, Kaghakategh, Mokhratagh, Horekavan, Gulatagh, Shushi).
^
abRabat, Nasser (1991). The Citadel of Cairo, 1176-1341: reconstructing architecture from texts. Ph.D. thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architecture.