When it comes to size, Versailles is much bigger than Buckingham Palace. Versailles is around 63,154 m2 of floor area spanning 2,300 rooms, while Buckingham Palace is only around 77,000 sq ft. containing 775 rooms.
Versailles was originally built as a hunting lodge to Louis XIII, before being renovated and expanded by his son, Louis XIV into the extravagant palace that is now known the world over. Versailles still stands as a symbol of the splendor of the French absolutism.
Buckingham Palace, however, was originally built as Buckingham House in 1703, before going through various remodels and expansions over the years, becoming the immense palace it is today. The palace is used as a palace and primary residence of the British monarchy and has been home to various royals, including Queen Elizabeth II and her family.
FAQ
- Is Versailles the largest palace in the world?
- What palace is bigger than Versailles?
- Is Versailles bigger than the Louvre?
- What was the size of Versailles compared to?
- Which is bigger castle or palace?
- Which is the world’s most expensive palace?
- Where is world’s largest palace?
- Who owns Buckingham Palace?
- Does Versailles get more visitors than Buckingham Palace?
- How many tourists visit the Buckingham Palace each year?
- How many visitors does Versailles get?
Is Versailles the largest palace in the world?
No, Versailles is not the largest palace in the world. The Grand Palace in Thailand actually holds the title of the world’s largest palace. Measuring in at over 500,000 square meters, it dwarfs Versailles’ approximately 63,000 square meters.
However, Versailles, which was the royal residence of Louis XIV and home to the French court from 1682 to 1789, is considered one of the most beautiful and extravagant palaces in the world. Built as a symbol of feudalism and the power of the French monarchy, the palace is decorated with spectacular furniture, artwork, and sculptures from artists like Le Brun and Le Nôtre.
The palace is also home to the famous Hall of Mirrors, gardens, and the Apollo Fountain. So although it is not the largest palace in the world, Versailles is no doubt still one of the most impressive.
What palace is bigger than Versailles?
One palace that is bigger than Versailles is the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, and was the home of 24 emperors and their households.
It covers 72 hectares (178 acres) of land and has nearly 9,000 rooms. It surpasses Versailles (which covers 63 hectares/157 acres) and is one of the largest palace complexes in the world. The Forbidden City is a World Heritage Site and has been described as “one of the most spectacular achievements of human creativity”.
Is Versailles bigger than the Louvre?
No, the Louvre is actually much larger than the Palace of Versailles. The Louvre covers about 210,000 square metres (2. 2 million square feet) and is one of the largest museums in the world. The Palace of Versailles, in comparison, covers just 63,154 square metres (678,558 square feet).
The Palace of Versailles is, however, much more lavishly decorated and ornate than the Louvre. It is home to 70,000 works of art and the gardens are considered to be some of the finest in Europe. The Louvre is home to 380,000 objects and works of art, and its famous glass pyramid, which sits in the main courtyard, is a renowned cultural symbol of Paris.
What was the size of Versailles compared to?
The size of Versailles was almost inconceivable for its time. Spanning more than 800 hectares (almost 2,000 acres), the palace grounds by themselves were larger than the city of Paris! Versailles also boasts 3,000 rooms, 67 staircases, and 6,000 tapestries.
When the gardens were being developed, they were twice the size of the palace and included over 50 kilometers of roads and a half million trees. Additionally, Versailles contains numerous ornate fountains, a 2000 meter “Grand Canal” featuring rowboats, and the renowned Hall of Mirrors.
The sheer size and scale of Versailles were unmatched in the 17th century and even today, it remains one of the most impressive feats of architecture in the world.
Which is bigger castle or palace?
The size of a castle or palace can vary greatly and there is no definitive answer for which is bigger. Generally, castles were built to be fortresses and to provide protection from enemies, so they tend to be larger and more complex in structure than palaces.
Castles typically have more defensive features such as towers, thick walls, and moats, while palaces tend to be more ornamental and focused on providing lavish extravagance and grandeur. In some cases, certain castles may be as large as city blocks with over 100 rooms, while palaces may only have a few dozen rooms.
Which is the world’s most expensive palace?
The world’s most expensive palace is the Antilla Estate located in Mumbai, India, which belongs to the chair of Reliance Industries, Mukesh Ambani. The 27 story, 400,000 square foot mansion was constructed in 2010, and is estimated to have cost around $2 billion.
The entire upper level is dedicated to the Ambani family, complete with terraces, hot tubs, private gardens, and a spa. It is also outfitted with numerous luxurious amenities such as a 6,000-square-foot ballroom, four helipads, three heliports, two balconies and multiple customized elevators.
The house also features a multi-level parking lot that has space for 168 cars and a health club with a gym, swimming pool, and Jacuzzi. The structure is said to be the second most expensive residential property in the world after Buckingham Palace.
Given its expensive cost, it not surprising to learn that the Antilla Estate was designed with environmentally sustainable components such as rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels.
Where is world’s largest palace?
The world’s largest palace is the Forbidden City, located in the heart of Beijing, China. This massive palace complex was the imperial palace from 1420 to 1912 and is the largest collection of ancient wooden structures in the world.
It is a massive complex, boasting 980 buildings, 91 palace compounds, and over 8,700 rooms. Forbidden City covers 180 acres and is surrounded by a 10-meter-high wall. The palace complex has been listed as a UNESCO Heritage site since 1987, and is also a popular tourist attraction.
It is open to the public, and visitors are able to explore the many buildings of the Forbidden City and learn about the Chinese imperial history and its various rulers.
Who owns Buckingham Palace?
Buckingham Palace is owned by the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Currently, that monarch is Queen Elizabeth II who has owned the Palace since 1952. The palace has been used as a royal residence since 1837 and is located in central London.
The palace not only serves as the primary residence of the sovereign and their family, but also hosts events for visiting royalty, foreign leaders, and state banquets. The interior of the palace is kept strictly off-limits to the public, though visitors are able to visit and tour the grounds and gardens.
Does Versailles get more visitors than Buckingham Palace?
The answer to this question largely depends on the time of year you visit either location. Generally, Versailles gets more tourists on an annual basis than Buckingham Palace given its reputation as one of the most recognizable landmarks in France.
However, the numbers of visitors to Buckingham Palace tend to spike during the summer months, due to its open-air visiting days and its proximity to the city of London. During the summer, the Palace can see up to 50,000 people in a single day, while Versailles sees around 8 million visitors per year.
In terms of historical importance and grandeur, Versailles can easily outshine Buckingham Palace, however, visitors to Buckingham Palace can also experience the unique ceremony of the Changing of the Guard and a chance to interact with the members of the household.
Furthermore, Royal Collection Trust manages the Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace and houses a very impressive collection of artworks.
How many tourists visit the Buckingham Palace each year?
The Buckingham Palace is one of the most popular tourist destinations in London and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Although exact figures are not available, according to VisitBritain, an estimated 3.
9 million visitors visited London’s top attractions in 2018, which included Buckingham Palace. Moreover, the latest report from Historic Royal Palaces confirmed that the Royal Palaces of London (including the Buckingham Palace) welcomed a combined total of 6.
54 million visitors during the 2018/19 financial year, which is a 5% decrease from the previous year. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Buckingham Palace to explore its various attractions, including the State Rooms, changing of the Guard ceremony, Queen’s Gallery, and the Garden.
Tourists visiting Buckingham Palace can also learn about the history of the Royal Family, as the palace provides guided tours by volunteer guides who share their knowledge of the Palace with visitors.
How many visitors does Versailles get?
The Palace of Versailles receives around 10 million visitors each year. This makes it the most visited monument in France, with more than double the number of visitors who visit Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The grandest of the professional historians in France estimate that the palace and its estate experienced more than 50 million visitors in the 2019 fiscal year. Visitors come from all over the world, with the majority of them coming from France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
The palace, gardens, and other attractions draw visitors in to marvel at their beauty and rich history. Versailles is a popular destination in the Paris region, and it is only 16 miles from the city’s center.
