Overview:
The 5 most famous palaces in Europe
1. Schönbrunn Palace
Not only is Schönbrunn Palace one of the most visited sites in Austria, it’s also one of the most beautiful. In 1569, Holy Roman Emperor and member of the influential Habsburg family, Maximilian II, purchased ‘The Katterburg’ – a small castle estate which stood on the grounds where the palace now stands. The wife of Maximilian’s successor took over the estate, building the new lodge named ‘Schönbrunn’, translating to ‘pretty spring’, named after the estate’s beauty during the season.
After the Turkish invasion of Vienna in 1683, the newly built Schönbrunn was destroyed. It wasn’t until the efforts of Empress Maria Theresa that the palace achieved its full potential. Built in baroque style by renowned Austrian architect, Fisher von Erlach, Schönbrunn Palace was constructed between the years of 1742 and 1770s.
Image by Leonhard Niederwimmer/Unsplash
Fancy the colour yellow? So did the Habsburg’s who had the exterior repainted in 1820. In fact, its yellow-coloured exterior is so famous that the unique shade is widely known as ‘Schönbrunn Yellow’. You may ask, ‘why yellow?’ The answer is relatively simple. During the years of 1806 and 1918, the flag of the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy and Austrian Empire consisted of two horizontal stripes: black over yellow.
By the conclusion of the Habsburg monarchy in 1918, the Schönbrunn Palace went into state ownership. Today it’s managed by a limited company that is wholly owned by the Republic of Austria.
Want to see one of the most famous palaces in Europe for yourself? You can on our Eastern Europe small group tour, which spends several days exploring the Viennese opulence.
2. Buckingham Palace
Image by Ferdinand Stohr/Unsplash
Not only is Buckingham Palace one of the most famous palaces in Europe, it’s also internationally known – mainly because it’s the British monarchy’s London residence. Situated in the borough of Westminster, the site’s history can be traced back to the reign of James I in the early 17th century. However, it wasn’t until John Sheffield (the Duke of Buckingham) took ownership that the house received its name.
In 1762, George III acquired the entire site as a private family residence for his wife, Queen Charlotte, and their children – and was thereafter known as ‘The Queen’s House’. When George III’s son, George IV, acceded to the throne in 1820, he transformed Buckingham House into a palace and into the iconic U shape it features today.
After the reign of George IV, Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace, and was the first sovereign to rule from the palace. The British monarchy continues to live and work out of the palace to this day.
Image by Victoria Hearn
Along with Buckingham Palace’s historical significance for the monarchy, it also holds vast cultural importance. Various receptions and events have been held at the palace, celebrating the work and achievements of different areas of society, including government, charity and sport. It’s also the focal point for major national celebrations and commemorations; for the Queen’s Golden and Platinum Jubilees, music concerts were staged in the palace’s garden featuring some of the most famous artists of the time.
Looking to experience the grandiosity of Buckingham Palace in England? Then our England, Scotland and Wales small group tour is the perfect fit for you.
3. Rundāle Palace
Walking onto the grounds of Rundāle Palace is like stepping straight into a real life fairy-tale – and with a palace this beautiful, it can be hard to believe that someone once inhabited it. This incredible palace was built as a grand residence for the Duke of Courland at the time, Ernst Johann Biron. Situated in the south of Latvia, construction started in 1736 and was not finished until 1768. After Biron’s passing, it was inhabited by a series of Russian nobles.
Rundāle Palace was designed by Italian baroque specialist, Bartolomeo Rastrelli, whose best known work is the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, Russia. It’s divided into two halves: the East Wing, which was dedicated to formal occasions; and the West Wing, which was the private royal residence. Taking inspiration from France’s Palace of Versailles, Rundāle Palace’s Royal Gardens were also used for public affairs and celebrations.
Unfortunately, Rundāle Palace was damaged severely throughout several wars, including the 1919 Latvian War of Independence. The current palace is a result of years of restoration, a process that was not officially complete until 2015! Despite this, around 40 of the palace’s 138 rooms are open for viewing, providing an incredible insight into the palace’s gorgeous design and rich history.
Explore Rundāle Palace – one of the most famous palaces in Europe – for yourself on our unforgettable Helsinki to Prague small group tour.
4. Alhambra Palace
Both a stunning palace and a comprehensive fortress complex, the Alhambra in Granada, Spain will enchant your senses. Its name is derived from the Arabic term ‘qa’lat al-Hamra’ roughly translating to ‘red castle’, due to the sun-dried bricks that reflect red hues. Alhambra holds great significance as it is the only surviving palatine city of the Islamic Golden Age, and it’s a testament to the Islamic architecture from this period in Spain, lasting from around the 8th to 14th century. Alhambra was initially created for military purposes, explaining why the complex consists of a fortress, palace and small city (medina), all in one.
Originally built as a small fortress in 889 CE, Alhambra was rebuilt and renovated in the 13th century by the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, Mohammed ben Al-Ahmer of the Emirate of Granada. The Emirate of Granada was a kingdom in Iberia and was the last section of the Iberian Peninsula to be held by the Muslims, hence its Islamic design. After the Islamic rule ended in 1492, King Ferdinand made Alhambra his royal court, modifying the palace to reflect a Renaissance style.
While the complex represents the multiple rulers of Spain and the period’s cultural influence, it also beautifully showcases Spain’s Islamic history through art and architecture. With its alluring architecture, rich history and stunning natural surrounds, there’s no wonder the Alhambra is one of the most famous palaces in Europe! Experience it on our Spain in Depth, Spain & Morocco and Spain, Portugal & Morocco.
5. Doge’s Palace
Located in northern Italy’s ‘floating city’ of Venice, the beautiful Doge’s Palace, or Palazzo Ducale in Italian, is an important Venetian landmark. The palace is centrally located within the city, and this in itself adds to its charm and appeal. On one side of Doge’s Palace is Venice’s iconic Grand Canal, and on the other is the famous Piazza San Marco, also known as Saint Mark’s Square. If you thought the location couldn’t get better – spoiler alert – it can! On the north side of the palace, you’ll find the Saint Mark’s Basilica, one of the most beautifully impressive and religiously significant cathedrals in Europe.
The Doge Palace was built in 1340 as the official residence of the Doge of Venice – the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. It primarily reflects Gothic architectural style, however, as it has been remodelled frequently throughout its history, it also displays Byzantine and Renaissance features. The Doge Palace is now a museum, but unlike traditional museums, all paintings and decorations found inside the palace were created specifically for it and not added later on.
From Doge’s Palace you can also access the famed ‘Bridge of Sighs’, named after the prisoners who’d sigh passing through it. The enclosed bridge connects the New Prison to interrogation rooms of the Doge Palace. Despite its grim past, according to legend, if a couple kisses while passing underneath the bridge, they will enjoy eternal love – sign us up!
Looking to uncover Venice’s Doge Palace? Experience it on our Italian Discovery small group tour.
Visit Europe with Bunnik Tours
From the stunning yellow hues of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna to the pure opulence of Latvia’s Rundāle Palace, now you know all about the most famous palaces in Europe! Want to see them for yourself? We don’t blame you! Book a Europe tour online today with Bunnik Tours or get in touch with one of our friendly Travel Specialists for more information about our small group tours.
FAQs
What is the biggest palace in Europe?
The Royal Palace of Madrid in Spain takes the cake for the biggest palace in Europe by floor area, and it’s also regarded as the largest functioning palace in Europe! It’s located in western Madrid and is an important palace due to its Baroque style and neoclassical elements – indicating a transition of styles. It was built in the 18th century, between 1738 and 1755 by the order of Philip V on the site of a former Moorish Castle, Alcázar fortress. The palace has 135,000 square metres of floor space, and a whopping 3,418 rooms – you could sleep in a new room every night for 9 years straight!
Although it is the official residence of the Spanish royal family in the city of Madrid, it’s mainly used now for state ceremonies, formalities and the like. Because the palace is so large, only a selection of rooms is open to the public at any given time and this is changed every few months.
What is the most visited castle in Europe?
The most visited castle in Europe is Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle, and there’s good reason for it. Located in Bavaria, Germany, the castle’s construction began in 1868 and was commissioned by Ludwig II, although unfortunately he passed before the completion of his vision. Neuschwanstein Castle is rumoured to be the real-life inspiration for the castle in Disney’s ‘Cinderella’ as well as ‘Sleeping Beauty’s’ castle in the Disneyland Park.
It’s estimated that more than one million people visit the iconic castle every year, and in summer, the castle can expect around 6,000 visitors per day! Although busiest in summer, the castle is gorgeous all year round. During the autumn months, the castle sits in a sea of orange, red and green trees; while in winter, the castle perhaps reaches its most magical potential, with a layer of snow coating the structure and surrounding gardens.
Which country in Europe has the most castles?
Unsurprisingly, Germany is the country in Europe with the most castles! It’s said that there are so many castles within Germany, that the total number is unknown. It’s estimated, however, that there are a staggering 25,000 castles spread throughout the nation, with the official European Castle Institute aiming to work out the exact figure. Around the 9th century, Germany began constructing many castles to boost the country's strategic defence – and lucky for us, they knew how to build beautiful castles!
