abandoned palaces

Discuss abandoned palaces means traveling to times of absolute kings and aristocrats rivaled in power and wealth. also think about wealthy businessmen They wanted to flaunt their money. But these constructions always leave us with the impression of sumptuous buildings that have seen better days.

We find these imposing constructions in all parts of the world, from India but also United States via Germany o Britain en Europe. And in all of them we see The decadence caused by his abandonment. Today they are silent and melancholic witnesses of a brightest past which is far behind. But, in many cases, they have retained their beauty. For all these reasons, we are going to talk to you about some of the most spectacular abandoned palaces on the planet.

Bodiam Castle

This wonderful construction is located in East Sussex in England. It was built at the end of the XNUMXth century by Sir Edward Dallyngrigge, former knight of king edward iii, with the permission of the new monarch, Richard II. passed the Hundred Years War between France and England and, with it, it was intended to stop the invasion of the Gallic troops.

Because it is located at the foot of a navigable river in the rainy season. However, that feared invasion did not take place. Due to its characteristics, it is a typical late medieval castle, with a rectangular plan, round and crenellated towers and a moat fed by springs. The main rooms were in the tower at one of the corners and the chapel at the other.

Curiously, despite the fact that its walls are quite thin, it has stood the test of time very well. From its original owner it has passed through various aristocratic families before falling into decline at the end of the XNUMXth century. But today, he belongs to the conservation organization called National trust, after being donated by Lord Curson, and you can visit it. You will have the feeling that you go back to the Middle Ages.

Reinhardsbrunn Palace

Among the abandoned palaces, this one stands out for having been built using the remains of an old Benedictine abbey. It is located near the city of Gotha, in the German state of Thuringia and was built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century by the Duke Ernst of Saxe Coburg Gotha.

The construction was to serve as a country house and also had a lake and a large garden. The family owned the castle until World War II, when it was used as a field hospital. After the war, it was also used as a hotel until its definitive abandonment at the end of the XNUMXth century.

However, he had an illustrious past. Among the events he saw was the beginning of the prince's relationship Albert of Coburg with the Queen Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland.

Pidhirtsy Castle

This impressive castle is listed among the abandoned palaces of Europe since the end of World War II. It is located in the town that gives it its name, located in the region or Ukrainian province of Lviv, more specifically on the Woroniaki Hills.

However, when it was built in the XNUMXth century, the area belonged to Poland. In fact, the one who ordered to build it was the famous Polish general Stanislaw Koniecpolski to serve as the residence of their military commanders. As for the designer of it, he was the Italian architect Andrea dell'Aqua, who took as a model the typical fortress-palaces of his country.

For this reason, the aforementioned hills were chosen to lift it. It is an area from which a large amount of territory can be seen. In addition, it has a moat with a drawbridge and walls in which there are several cannons that you can still see today. Similarly, the castle had an animal farm, a mill and a trout pond, all to guarantee the subsistence of the soldiers who stayed there.

Sans Souci, an abandoned palace in Hatí

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. For this reason, it is not difficult to find abandoned constructions in its territory that are vestiges of the past. Many of them are located in old agricultural estates. It is the case of sans souci palace, which is in the commune of MilotWithin the Historical National Park: Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers, which has been declared a World Heritage Site.

This abandoned palace was built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century by order of the king henry christophe of Haiti, whom it served as a residence. It is not known how many workers died during the construction of the building, but it is believed that there were many. However, they would not be the only tragic events that would take place in it. His gardens were the scene of Christophe's suicide and also the murder of his heir at the hands of revolutionaries.

On the other hand, behind this palace is the no less spectacular Citadel Laferriere, an impressive fortress located on the top of Mount Bonnet a L'Eveque. It was also built by Christophe and is currently one of the most visited places by tourists who come to Haiti.

The Sans Souci palace was left in ruins after the earthquake that occurred in 1842, which also devastated the nearby city of Cap Haitien. However, its walls resisted and you can still see them today.

leh palace

We are now going very far from Haiti to tell you about another of the most curious abandoned palaces. Because it is built on the Tsemo hill in the Tibetan city of Leh, In the himalayan region. It was also ordered to be built by a king, in this case, sengge namgyal, known as “the Lion King”, in the XNUMXth century.

This monarch was famous for his work in building monasteries, sanctuaries and also palaces. The one in Leh has nine floors. The upper ones served as accommodation for the royal family, while the lower ones were used as stables and warehouses. For their construction they were inspired by the Potala's palace en Lhasa, which was the residence of Dalai Lama.

The building was abandoned in the mid-XNUMXth century, but is currently being restored and you can visit it. They even give you the option of going up to the roof, from which you have impressive views of the Zangskar and Ladakh mountain ranges. It also has a spectacular museum where you can see jewelry, ceremonial dresses and ornaments of the time. But, above all, it has spectacular paintings thangka, which are tapestries of bright colors and complex shapes that are more than four hundred years old.

Duckett's Grove, one of Ireland's many abandoned palaces

We are now traveling to the British Isles, specifically to Ireland, to tell you about the spectacular Duckett's Grove. It was built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century in neo-gothic style and was part of an estate that spanned five counties. Therefore, it was a sign of the economic strength of the duckett family. Likewise, among others, it had two walled gardens connected to each other.

It is located in the county of Carlow, southeast of Ireland and about eighty kilometers from Dublin. The Duckett family, who owned the castle, became extinct at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, so both the land and the building passed to the state. As a curiosity, we will tell you that, during the irish war of independence (1919-21), the palace was used by the IRA as the headquarters of its flying column.

Shortly thereafter, in the XNUMXs, Duckett suffered a devastating fire that completely destroyed its interior, although the structure was left intact. In fact, currently, you can visit it for free. In addition, in the courtyard there craft and gift shops in case you want to buy a souvenir. Even on weekends events are usually held there.

Jal Mahal Palace

We return to Asia to tell you about a palace that could well appear in Arabian Nights, the famous oriental book of traditional stories. And he could do it because he is in the beautiful Jaipur. , called "the Pink City", but also for its exuberant beauty.

It is a floating palace, since it has a lake from which it emerges. And this is so literally, since four floors are under water. It was built in the XNUMXth century as accommodation for royalty when they went hunting, but was restored in the early XNUMXth century by order of the Maharaja Jai ​​Singh II.

Respond to Mughal and Rajput style and it was built, precisely, in pink stone from the area. Above the water level it has five floors and is crowned at its ends by two chatris or Bengali-style domed structures. Currently, the palace is being restored and cannot be visited, but just seeing it is worth it for its spectacular nature. However, if you want to get closer, do it during the dry season. In the rainy season, you can only do it by boat. In this sense, the Jal Mahal forms a tourist corridor with the no less spectacular Jaigarth, Nahargarh and Khilangarh Forts.

In conclusion, we have shown you some of the most impressive abandoned palaces of the world. But, as you will understand, there are many others. Among them, we also advise you to visit the swannano mansion, a neo-Renaissance-style villa in the US state of Virginia; the castle of sammezzano, south of the precious Florence; Kirby Hall, a XNUMXth century mansion located in England, or the no less spectacular bannerman castle, located about a hundred miles north of New York. Don't you think these vestiges of the past are impressive?