Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace was the primary summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, located in Hietzing, Vienna. The name Schönbrunn means “beautiful spring” as the palace was located beside a large freshwater reserve. The palace is perhaps best known for the 1,441 fantastical Baroque and Rococo interiors. The amazingly preserved nature of the palace has been deemed a UNESCO world heritage site. You can walk through the palace room by room through Google Arts and Culture virtual tour. To support the tour, you can go to the palace’s website to get more information on the history of each room. On the site, you can get details on the design of the interior and the incredible decorative arts which embellsih each of the incredible rooms.

If you would prefer a video tour, then you can watch the 4K video below. This video leads you throughout the exterior and interior of the palace. The beautiful classical music playing throughout provides an immersive experience. With the music surrounding you, one can better imagine what it would have been like to attend a lavish court ball in the palace.

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles was the main royal residents for the kings and queens of France since 1682. The palace was built under Louis XIV, who originally owned a small hunting lodge on the grounds. Over the years, he transformed the small lodge into this incredible chateau! Google Arts and Culture have set up an amazing set of stories, tours, photo galleries, and more to help visitors digitally experience the history and wonder that is Versaille.

If you’re looking for something absolutely 21st century, then you need to check out “VersaillesVR The Palace is Yours.” On this app, Versaille has been captured in VR. This allows anyone with a VR headset to explore the palace in 360°. Everywhere you move your head, the camera follows like you are really there. You can see the King and Queen’s State Apartments, climb onto the stage in the Royal Opera House, discover the Hall of Mirrors, and walk right up to tapestries, paintings, sculptures and furniture! You can even switch to night mode to explore the palace by the light of the chimney fires.

If you don’t own a VR headset, you can still explore the rooms in 360° using the website Poly. On this site, you can click on a variety of Versaille’s interior rooms and explore them in detail. There are even info icons that are clickable to see more information. From there you are able to learn all about the history of the rooms you’re exploring.

Buckingham Palace

Pretty much everyone has heard the name Buckingham Palace, but I’m guessing far fewer of you have been inside. Buckingham Palace, located in London, is the royal residence of the Kings and Queens of England. If you’ve been watching the Netflix series, ‘The Crown‘ you’ll be even more interested to learn and see the REAL interiors which the show tries its best to emulate.

The palace is home to 775 rooms, the most lavish of which are the State Rooms. These are used for official and state entertaining. They are only open to the public during August and September. The reason for this is that the royal family spends their summers in Balmoral and are not in royal residence. Since the public has such a small window to view the rooms they remain a rare sight to see. But not anymore!

The Royal Collection Trust has created an online gallery and tour of the palace’s State Rooms. Some of the rooms can be explored in 360° so you can look all around you like you were really there! Throughout the scenes, you can click on the information icons to get more details about the space.

Doge’s Palace

Found in the fairytale city of Venice is the incredible Doge’s Palace. A Doge was the Venetian chief magistrate and the closest thing the city would get to have their own King. The palace was built as his residences in the center of Venice, right on St. Mark’s Square. It was originally built in 1340 but modified many times throughout the centuries. In 1923 it was transformed into a museum with some of the cities most precious works of art. Today, you can view the interiors of the palace through a Google Arts and Culture virtual tour. With this guide you can explore and learn all about the history of the building as well as walk through their masterful gothic interiors.

If you’re looking for a more complete tour of the palace, then head over to Musement for one of their guided virtual tours. With this tour, you can explore the Doge’s Palace along with a complete audio narration. To go along with the audio track are beautiful pictures of the building, as well as satellite and views of the palace and its surroundings. Through the power of storytelling, you’ll really feel like you’re there.

Pena Palace

I’ve been lucky enough to visit many different palaces throughout my travels. But my favourite of them all has got to be Pena Palace! Located outside of Lisbon, in the town of Sintra, Pena Palace is the ultimate in romantic castles. The palace was built atop the foundations of an old monastery. King Ferdinand took ownership of the land in 1838 and set out to transform the ruins into a fantastical summer residence for his family.

The bright red, yellow and purple-grey colours of the facade immediately made it so unique. The multicoloured Portuguese tile, Azulejo, add another magical touch that makes the palace such a visual draw. Today you can view the palace from high above as if you were flying over it in a helicopter. AirPano gives us a bird’s eye view over the top of this amazing palace. From up high you can study parts of the structure that you’d never be able to see otherwise.

If you’re are looking for a more informative tour, you can check out my Ultimate Self Guided tour. I have so many pictures and a detailed account of my time there. While it was written as a guide for people visiting the site in person, with all the pictures and descriptions I think you’ll be able to imagine what it’s like to really be there.

The Château of Chambord

The Château de Chambord is one of the great palaces of France. Built in the 16th century for Francis I, the place is located in the center of the stunning Loire Valley. The palace blends French Renaissance architecture with traditional medieval structures. The most iconic part of the castle is surely the 800 sculpted columns and elaborately decorated roof. Francis, wanted these columns to resemble the skyline of Constantinople. The Google Arts and Culture exhibit studies the history of the castle. It features a multitude of archaeological discoveries, which delves into the wonders of its construction. Seeing the palace in both photographs and architectural layouts allows you to appreciate the technical skill which was involved in creating such a masterpiece. And hundreds of years ago, without modern technology to boot!

Once you’ve finished reading the article, you can head inside the castle and explore it virtually. My favourite part of this castle is all the intricately sculpted bits of stone decor. Near the grand staircase, you’ll find 200 finials and a patterned ceiling with a variety of characters, both mythological and religious, dotting the vaults. Looking down on you like little spies.

Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle, located in the small town of Bolsover in the English countryside, is known as the “little castle.” The name comes from the fact the main “castle” structure is surrounded by these large fortifications. The juxtaposition of the expansive courtyard and huge winged terrace makes the castle appear even smaller. The castle was built in the 17th century above the ruins of a 12th-century medieval castle. Today, it remains one of the best examples of Jacobean architecture. The palace was built as a retreat for banqueting and pleasure by William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle. While the castle might not strike you as anything special right away, its secrets are hidden inside. William was obsessed with creating puzzles to flatter and amuse his guests. The Google Arts and Culture exhibit aims to help you unravel the mysteries inside Bolsover’s Little Castle. 

Neuschwanstein Castle

To view the interiors of the palace, you can head over to their official website. From there you can follow along with their visual tour. It’s amazing to see the level of decoration and detail which went into the castle. So many aspects of the castle look more like a Byzantine church than a castle. My favourite room of the palace has got to be the ‘Singers’ Hall.’ This was also the King’s favourite room in the entire palace. It occupies the whole of the fourth floor. The room’s design pays homage to the German legends of Lohengrin, the Swan Knight. Look closely for little swan icons hidden in the frescoes.

Bran Castle

Bran Castle, located on the Transylvanian side of Romania, is better known by the public as “Dracula’s Castle”. While there is no evidence, Bram Stocker even visited the castle, and the castle itself bears no resemblance to the one in the book, the legend remains. Perhaps the main reason for the connection is due to its revelance to Vlad the Impaler. Vlad was the true to life inspiration for the character of Dracula. Vlad III or Vlad the Impaler was the ruler of Wallachia from 1448 to 1476. His legendary name comes from the fact that Vlad had the bodies of his enemies impaled on large spikes to ward off invading Ottomans and Hungarian. His rule was rutheless and he would punish his enermies as well as his citizens just a brutally.

While Vlad never owned Castle Bran, there are rumours that he was once imprisoned there after his capture by the Hungarians. Historical records show that he was imprisoned in Budapest. But since the castle is so foreboding and dramatic, it was colloquially referred to as his prison.

Today the castle is now a museum playing host to objects and furniture collected by Queen Marie, the last Queen of Romania. You are able to explore the exterior and interiors of the building through google street view. While the Romanian castle might not be as opulent and grand as others around Europe, I think seeing this kind of art and architecture is such an important and interesting contrast.

The castle’s official website also offers visitors video tours of the castle. I especially love the video filmed of the Castle during a winter snowfall. It looks both so picturesque and haunting at the same time in the chill of winter. There is also a complete castle gallery to get a better look into the furnishing and art inside the palace. 

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal also called the ‘Crown of the Palace‘ was commissioned in 1632 by emperor Shah Jahan. He had the palace made as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. And when he died, he was buried there as well, with his true love. It’s fascinating to know that one of the most beautiful structures in the world is actually a giant tomb. The ivory-white marble mausoleum sits on the southern bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. Today it is one of the 10 “Man-Made Wonders of the World“. The Google Arts and Culture exhibit, ‘Four Secret Spots at the Taj Mahal,’ takes you a street view tour of the lesser-known corners of India’s most iconic structure. There are so many discoveries I made looking through this virtual guide and I loved learning about those otherwise unknown secrets.

Miramare Castle

Miramare Castle is one of the great Italian castles. Built in the 19th-century on the Gulf of Trieste, the castle was made for Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium, who would go on to become Empress Carlota of Mexico. The interiors of the castle have been captured in 360, and you can walk the halls of the palace yourself! 

To view the exteriors of the castle, there are some great videos online which make you feel like you’re really there! The castle’s grounds were designed by the archduke himself. They include some incredible landscaping featuring tropical species of trees and plants. The videos just make you want to jump right into that blue water that surrounds the castle.

Chapultepec Castle

A perfect segway from Miramare Castle is over to Mexico to Chapultepec Castle. This was Charlotte of Belgium’s residence when she became Empress Carlota of Mexico. I was amazed upon visiting the castle that such a thing existed in the modern metropolis of downtown Mexico City. Chapultepec Castle’s name comes from the Nahuatl word” chapoltepēc”, which means “at the grasshopper’s hill.” The hillside was for hundreds of years a sacred place for the Aztecs. In the 18th century, before the palace was built, the hillside was home to a gunpowder warehouse and military academy. Then in 1864, it became the official residence of Emperor Maximilian I and his consort Empress Carlota.

Carlota went to great care and expensive to remodel the palace into a luxurious residence. It was used as an official residence of the President of Mexico from 1883 until 1939. After which it was turned into a museum. My blog all about my visit to the castle is a highly detailed summary of all the wonders you’ll find there. YouVisit also has a wonderful virtual tour you can take to view parts of the palace in 360 degrees!

Catherine Palace

The Catherine Palace is a Rococo palace in Tsarskoye Selo just outside St. Petersburg, Russia. This was the summer residence of the Russian tsars, built in 1710 by Peter the Great for his wife Catherine I. The original palace for Catherine was only 16 rooms large, a fraction of the size it is now. When Catherine the first died, the palace was inherited by her daughter Elizabeth I. Elizabeth took upon expanding the palace into the grand structure it is today. Although none of the original rooms from Catherine’s time remain, her daughter loved her so much she always wanted it to be named after her.

In this 45-minute video tour, you are lead through the palace by guide Nadezhda Mironenko. You can see the details that architect Rastrelli took such great care in creating. He was a baroque visionary and took such great care in ensuring the palace was the gem of the baroque age. You’ll visit the Grand Hall, the Golden Suite and the Amber Room (the so-called eighth wonder of the world). The Amber Room is a chamber covered floor to ceiling in amber panels, backed with gold leaf and shimmering mirrors. The interior is absolutely overwhelming, and even though you can’t be there in person, you can still be in awe of the spectacle in front of you.

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle is one of Japan’s best-preserved historic castles. It is located in the city of Matsumoto, in Nagano Prefecture. The castle also goes by the nickname “Crow Castle” because of its black exterior. Because the original wooden interiors and external stonework remain from the 16th century, it has been listed as a National Treasure of Japan. The Discovery Makes Knowledge youtube channel has a lovely video guide that leads you through the castle. Throughout the video, you get a great understanding of the history and meaning behind so many aspects of the palace.

After getting a primer with the video, head over to the Palace’s official website to get extremely detailed explanations about everything around the castle. You can use google street view to walk the castle’s ground and follow along with the website’s guide.

Lobkowicz Palace

The Lobkowicz Palace is one of the largest palaces inside Prague Castle. It was built in the 16th century by the Czech nobleman Jaroslav of Pernštejn. For many years, their doors remained closed to the public, used only by the palace’s residents. But in 2007, the building was transformed into a museum. Inside it features a great collection of artworks and decorative items from the Lobkowicz Collection. You’ll find paintings by Antonio Canaletto, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Lucas Cranach the Elder, and Diego Velázquez hung on the walls. You can also see musical instruments, original manuscripts and early prints of composers, including Beethoven and Mozart.

One of my favourite Czech youtube channels, The Honest Guide, produced this fantastic exclusive video during the height of lockdown in Prague. Lobkowicz Palace is a privately owned building and the channel was given private access to tour their collection. Since Prague was in lockdown there were no public visitors so they had the whole place to themselves.

Start the video about 12 minutes in to begin right as they enter the museum. What makes the tour so interesting is that the guide is actually a descendant of the family who owns the palace! His stories and selection of favourite pieces inside the museum really make it feel more intimate and personal experience. They had some technical difficulties with the sound but stick with it as the information you get is fantastic!

I hope you enjoyed this guide of my favourite palaces around the world you can still visit online! In one day you’ll be able to travel across the globe and see some of the most opulent and ornate state rooms and royal galleries! Let me know in the comment what your favourite palace was or where you would like to visit virtually!

Happy (virtual) Travels, Adventurers!

The post 15 Amazing Palace and Castle Tours you can View Virtually first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Romeo + Juliet in Mexico City

When I was first looking up information on Chapultepec Castle I almost dropped my phone when I read it was featured in Baz Lurhman‘s 1996 film ‘Romeo + Juliet‘! It was used in the film as the site for Juliet Capulet’s mansion. In fact, much of the introduction of the film was shot in Mexico City. The aerial shot of ‘Verona’ is located just north of here in the Zona Rosa. And the unforgettable shot of the statue of Christ was shot along the Paseo de la Reforma. They simply removed the Ángel de la Independencia monument and digitally replaced it with a statue of Jesus.

Even various hotel and bank exteriors along Paseo de la Reforma were used to stand in for the Capulet and Montague headquarters. As a 90s kid, who grew up on that movie this was the discovery of a lifetime. This only made me more delighted to get to see it in person!

Let me say first off, I LOVED exploring the castle. But a lot of the detailed information was difficult to understand as most of the signage was in Spanish. I’m someone who loves to know everything about history and I don’t just travel places for the aesthetics alone. So I whipped up this post, full of my own research, to help others guide their way through the castle.

Guide to Chapultepec Castle

1. How to Get there
2. Hours and Admission
3. Accessibility
   • Wheelchair Access
4. Is there Food Inside Castle?
5. History of Chapultepec Castle
6. Guide to Exploring Chapultepec Castle
   • The Castle Residence Tour – Carriage Hall
   • Introductory Room
   • Reading Room Terrace
   • Games Room
   • Smoking Room
   • Dining Room
   • Butler’s Pantry
   • Carlota's Sitting Room
   • Carlota's Bathroom
   • Carlota’s Bedroom
   • Tea Room
   • Gobelins Room
   • Agreement Hall
   • Courtyard Garden
   • Lions Staircase
   • Terrace
   • Porfirio Diaz Bedroom
   • Stained Glass Gallery
   • Hall of Ambassadors
   • Tower

How to Get there

The castle is situated at the top of Chapultepec Hill, just past the entrance of Chapultepec Park. When you look at GoogleMaps, it’s hard to make out any of the elevations around the area. That means, if you don’t enter through the official front gates, it’s super easy to get lost.

Uber

The best place for an Uber to drop you off point is in front of the Estela de Luz monument. From here, it’s just a short walk towards the castle entrance. There are various signs along the way to help you find your way.

Metro

If you’re arriving via the metro, take the subway to Chapultepec Station on Line 1. Exit towards the Monument to the Niños Heroes, where you’ll find the ramp which leads towards the museum.

Hours and Admission

You need to buy your admission tickets at the booth at the bottom of the hill. Be sure to do this BEFORE you head up the ramp, which leads to the castle. There is nowhere at the top of the hill to buy tickets. The walk is fairly long and steep, and on a hot day, it would be torturous to have to head all the way back down. We saw dozens of people that had this problem and their dejected faces were so sad. So be sure you don’t make this same mistake. The line for the tickets moves very quickly but if you plan on visiting at the absolute peak of the season you should arrive early to beat the crowds.

Hours: 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays.
Admission: 85 pesos (US$4) per person. Tickets are free for children under 13 and seniors over 60 years old. Teachers and students with valid credentials and people with disabilities also can get in free.
Be sure to bring some cash as often the machines are often down and tickets are cash only.

Accessibility

After purchasing your ticket, you need to climb the winding hill that encircles the palace. While the pathway is mostly smooth, for anyone with mobility issues, the incline can be tiring. The walk is especially difficult due to the high elevation in Mexico City. It can be slightly harder to catch your breath. Take it slow; there’s no need to rush. In fact, the walk up the hill provides some incredible views across the park and the city. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Even on what might feel like a cooler day, you still can get dehydrated just from the elevation.

Wheelchair Access

If you have a mobility aid or wheelchair, the museum has ramps and accessible spaces. They also offer special tours for children and adults with disabilities. Just email difusion.mnh@inah.gob.mx for more information. They also provide loaner wheelchairs if you feel like you might require one for this visit. You can view their accessibility plan for the palace here. There is access to an elevator at the bottom of the hill for people who require it. So you don’t need to worry about having to go up the long winding pathway. Don’t hesitate to ask any other staff members about additional accessibility inquiries.

Is there Food Inside Castle?

NO! One of the biggest surprises to me was that not only was there no food or drinks available inside the castle, but you also weren’t even allowed to bring anything with you either. Not even water! Bugs are apparently a big problem at the castle. So they do everything they can to prevent critters from getting in by banning food and drink inside the castle. I had planned my day around having lunch at the palace, so I was in for a real unfortunate surprise when I arrived to find that there was no cafe. I was starving by the time we left and ran to the nearest street food vendor at the bottom of the hill! Don’t be like us, and be sure to come on a full stomach! Drink the rest of your water before you enter the gates, or they will make you throw it away.

History of Chapultepec Castle

The word ‘Chapultepec‘ comes from the old Nahuatl word which means at grasshopper’s hill. Throughout the castle, you’ll find many different images of grasshoppers paying tribute to the castle’s Aztec name. In the Aztec period, this hilltop was considered sacred. Archeological digs around the area have uncovered ceramics and objects relating to sacred burials. Many of the Aztec rulers were placed to rest here on the hill.

Chapultepec hill was considered scared both due to its life-giving waterways and being a place of protection. It was a defensive location as it looked out over Lake Texcoco. Lake of Texcoco is no longer here as the waters were drained by the Spanish upon their invasion in the 16th century.

Moctezuma II ordered that a palace be built under his name atop the hill. It was the first “royal” summer palace to be built here and a tradition that would continue into post-colonial times. Netzahualcoyotl, one of the monarchs under Moctezuma, oversaw the construction of this palace and also planted the cypress trees. Cypress trees were very sacred to the Aztecs, and the grove he built is still there today.

The Sacred Water

As you walk up the hill towards the castle, you’ll pass by a large pond carved into the side of the hilltop. This is to commemorate the springs which once appeared all around Chapultapec castle. It was said that Moctezuma fished in these springs. To ensure the plentifulness of the fish, Moctezuma would appease the water god Tlaloc by burying treasure around the waterways. To this day, no treasure has ever been found. However, treasure hunters still love to explore the area in hopes of discovering ancient riches.

In addition to fishing, these springs were also thought to purify any of those who would drink from them. When the Spanish invaded, they demolished all the natural springs and drained the surrounding lakes. Thinking only of expansion and not of the damage they were doing to their natural resources. The sacred water was gone and many people call diarrhea some tourists get from drinking this piped-in water “Moctezuma’s Revenge.”

Post-Colonial History

Chapultepec Castle, as we see it today, was initially built as the summer home for the Viceroys of Mexico. The term “Viceroy” comes from the French word “roi,” meaning king. As such, these men were the Vice-Kings of Mexico. The role came into being after the invasion of the Spanish. Viceroys were sent to rule the lands and control the armies. In 1530 the emperor Carlos Quinto decreed that the forest of Chapultepec was now the property of the City of Mexico. The Viceroys and their court would use the park as their playground for hunting and fishing. But the new court needed a palace to rest their heads.

Chapultepec Military History

Construction on the new palace started in 1725 under the watchful eye of Viceroy Bernardo de Gálvez. Before he could see the interiors finished, the castle was abandoned during the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. For years it remained dormant until it was purchased by the Military Academy in 1833. The academy transformed the palace into a military college. During this time, a few notable architectural additions were made. The most noticeable of which is the watchtower, which pops its head up above the rest of the building. Cadets from the college would spend their time here doing shooting exercises and military activities. It’s wonderful to imagine how these cadets would have felt studying in such an important place. Defending the city as the Aztecs before them would have.

On September 13, 1847, the Americans attacked Mexico City. The military students took arms and tried valiantly to protect their college from the onslaught. Many of these young men died trying to defend the academy. Eventually, the castle was taken by the United States army. But this would not be the end of the story for the Mexican military in Chapultepec Castle. In 1847, after growing their numbers, a newly strong Mexican army stormed Chapultepec, winning it back once more.

Emperor Maximilian I

The most notable resident of the palace was Emperor Ferdinand Maximilian I and his consort Empress Carlota. The two lived here from 1864-1867 and despite their short time here, they made a huge impact. Maximilian was from the Habsburg dynasty and put into power by the French leader Napoleon III. Napoleon III invaded Mexico in December 1861 in his attempt to add Mexico to the French empire.

Maximilian and his wife took possession of Chapultapec castle, but when they arrived, they were shocked at what they found. The villa was in ruins. It wasn’t anything like the European palaces they were used to. They spent their first nights here sleeping on a pool table since all the beds were filled with bugs. Almost all the windows had been broken and smashed during the American war. After a sleepless first night in their new home, they went got to work renovating the building.

European Influences

The most impressive architectural features of the castle were built under their watchful eye. Maximilian wanted his palace to have pride of place in the city. He was enamoured with the grand boulevards of Europe, like the Champs-Élysées in Paris. He ordered a grand promenade to be built that would connect the castle entrance to the rest of Mexico City. This would become the grand Paseo de la Reforma. Despite not being a native of Mexico, Maximilian adored the city and called it his home. He was quoted as saying, “In moments of difficulty… nothing had so much power to cheer and strengthen him as the wonderful harmony of this view.”

Only a few years into his position in Mexico City, Maximilian and the French army were run out of the country. Mexico was on the verge of becoming an independent state. The newly elected Mexican president gave Maximilian the chance to flee back to his home country. But Maximilian’s mother told him she would rather see him die with dignity in Mexico rather than come home a coward. So Maximilian and the loyal members of his house were executed by a firing squad in Querétaro. Carlota, Maximilian’s wife, was allowed to return to Europe. However, she was devastated by the grief of losing not only her home but also her husband and died shortly thereafter.

19th Century History

In the 19th century, the castle became the main residence of the President of Mexico, Porfirio Díaz. Diaz lived here from 1877 to 1910. He and his wife were responsible for the elegant French decor of the interior of the palace. Diaz was, surprisingly enough for someone responsible for the rejection of the French empire, obsessed with french style. He loved La Belle Époque and the French Neo-Rococo designs. He brought items from all over Europe to furnish this castle in the middle of Mexico City.

Diaz loved France so much that after a failed coup during the 1910 election, he fled to Paris. He was attempting to escape execution and felt he would be most at home there. He died in Paris, only five years later. The last president to live inside the castle was President Lázaro Cárdenas in 1939. Lázaro decided the castle should not only be a treasure to be admired by those in power. He gave the palace back to the city and the people of Mexico City. Transforming it into the museum we see today.

Guide to Exploring Chapultepec Castle

The building itself is divided into two sections; the Museum of Anthropology (located inside the old military academy) and the royal palace residence. This guide focuses on the palace section but we also have a guided tour of the Museum of Anthropology if you’re interested in that.

NOTE: You cannot simply go in and out of the palace area. The entrance is through the carriage hall, and once you are inside, you need to follow the designated pathway. The exit of the castle residence area is heavily guarded. There is no backtracking. I found this out the hard way. If you leave the residence you cannot just go back in through the back gate. You need to walk through the entire complex all over again.

The Castle Residence Tour – Carriage Hall

The first room you enter is the Carriage Hall. Carriages were the primary mode of transportation to and from the castle during its heyday in the 18th century. This area of the palace was originally not as beautifully decorated. It was more like a storage garage for the carriages when they were not in use. Take notice of the large arched doorway. It was required to be sized to these proportions in order to get the carriages in and out easily.

Today, the carriage hall is decorated with large paintings of the various famous men from the history of Chapultepec Castle. Walk up to each of them to see who you can recognize from the history we just read through. It’s always nice to put a face to the name. From these portraits, I feel like you can learn a little bit more about their personalities.

While the carriages do have a substantial European flair, there are always uniquely Mexican elements that have been added. On the most elaborate carriage in the centre of the room, you can see the Mexican crest painted on the side. Look for the eagle perched on a nopales cactus with a snake in its mouth. This is the emblem of Mexico City.

Introductory Room

Stepping through the doors which lead out of the Carriage Hall, you come into the Introductory Room. The Introductory room was actually once used as the palace’s bowling alley! Originally it was an extension of the room next door; the games room. Once you know this piece of information, the elongated dimensions of the room start to make sense. The walls of the introductory room are covered in art nouveau-style decor. The golden plaster ornamentation is shaped into curvy vegetal forms popular in the 20th century.

Today, the room is used to introduce guests to the people who lived in the palace. And what their lives looked like while they lived inside these walls. Objects in the glass cases along the wall hold jewellery, clothing, medals and coins.

On the wall upon entering, you can see two portraits in circular golden frames. They depict President Benito Juarez and his wife, Margarita Maza. On the opposite wall to these portraits is a glass case holding a fancy, general’s gala jacket inside. It was once worn by Juan Almonte, who served as marshal of the empire in the 1860s. In the case is also a large sword cast in bronze. Atop the hilt of the sword is an eagle, the symbol of the Mexican nation, with its wings spread wide. Always ready for an attack.

Mexico Wreaths

Further down the hall, you come to a wide glass case containing several gold and silver laurel wreaths. There were given to President Benito Juarez in recognition of his efforts in creating an independent Mexican state. Several of these wreaths were once laid on his graves at the anniversary of his birth or his death.

Behind the wreaths is a large painting with the image of the coat of arms of Mexico upon it. Surrounding the eagle are a series of allegorical symbols. She is perched atop the rock with the cactus growing from the stone. A dead snake hangs in her beak. The eagle crest is surrounded by laurel wreaths. Wrapped around the wreaths is a golden necklace of the Royal Order of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Crowning the crest is a headdress with seven feathers. Each one represents one of the seven Nahuatl tribes that formed the Aztec nation that would become Mexico City. They were the Xochimilca, Tlahuica, Acolhua, Tlaxcalteca, Tepaneca, Chalca, and Mexica. On either side of the crown are a pair of golden sceptres and further down a golden set of arrow quivers. The royal coat of arms is surrounded in a ribbon of red, white and green. It displays the motto of the country “religion, independence and union.”

Reading Room Terrace

Ferdinand Maximilian I was a smart young man. Despite being flung far afield from his home in Austria, he tried to make Mexico City his own private oasis. Something Maximilian loved was to read and write outdoors. When rebuilding the palace, he had huge terraces added to the palace. This allowed him ample space to sit outside where he could look out upon the valley below. Here, he would read and write to his heart’s content. Mexico, unlike his birthplace of Austria, had far better weather, and he wanted to enjoy every minute of that.

All of the rooms on the first floor each open up onto the terrace. This benefited the residents in two ways. The first was it allowed for natural air conditioning. But it also provided access from any room inside to the incredible views across the city. Today, the doors that open out to the terrace also give visitors a peak inside.

Games Room

The castle was not just a place for state business. Long days entertaining foreign dignitaries could get pretty dull. It was pretty common to have an elaborate games room built inside these palaces. It would bring some fun back into the lives of these displaced aristocrats. Here they would take part in competitive bowling, cards, chess, badminton and more. The tapestries that adorn the room depict scenes of frivolity. Young noblemen can be seen playing games dressed in the finest fashions of the day.

Smoking Room

Beside the games room is the Smoking room. Deep red velvet damask wallpaper and rich lacquered tables make this room feel so luxurious. Smoking rooms were all the rage in Europe, as tobacco began to be imported from the east. The room is decorated with tall urns, of various sizes. Each one of which would have contained the precious dried tobacco leaves. These were all gifts to the Viceroys, from everywhere from China to Japan and even the Netherlands.

After a long state dinner, the women would retire to the living room, and the men would come here to smoke the finest cigars and tobacco. They could talk politics over a fine glass of liquor. And thanks to the open-air terrace, the room wouldn’t always be thick with smoke. Ebony encrusted furniture, presented by the Chinese ambassadors, makes the entire room feel like you were being transported. Like entering a country miles away.

Dining Room

The dining room, I think, is the finest room on the first floor. The very first thing I noticed when we peered through the doors was the incredible fireplace mantle. The wood carving feature two gorgeous half-naked women called caryatid. They are located on either side holding up the scones flanking the fireplace.

A caryatid is a sculpted female figure serving as architectural support. Taking the place of a column or a pillar. In between the two caryatids, carved on the chimney, are a variety of fruits and vegetables. Each one is representative of Mexico’s diverse agriculture and richness of the country. One can only imagine how romantic it was have looked at twilight. Lit only by these fixtures and hundreds of candles along the table.

It was President Díaz, who commissioned the decoration featured in the room. The fine wooden decorations were all made by the artist Pedro Téllez Toled. Cedar, mahogany, metal and marble are all are used in abundance to create a room that feels as grand in appearance. The host wanted their guests to feel like they were entering the finest European palace, as they walked into the Chapultepec dining room.

The room was designed in the French style of Louis XV and Louis XVI. Louis XV’s style featured curvy, art nouveau elements while Louis XVI featured neoclassical and baroque themes. These tended to focus on mythological elements such as the use of the caryatids. The art nouveau elements can be seen in the floral carved into the wooden cabinets and ceiling tiles. These highlight acanthus leaves, grapes, strawberries, artichokes, apples and pears. The backs of the dining room chairs each feature embroidery of animals such as birds, fish, wolves and lambs.

Butler’s Pantry

Servants were a key part of daily life in the castle. The servants kept things running and in a household as big as this, even their quarters needed to look majestic. Although the basement was their primary residence and workspace, there were a few areas on the top floors dedicated to the staff. One of which was the butler’s pantry. This room contained a small elevator that would be used to bring food up from the basement to the dining room. Along the wall is a beautiful selection of china and glassware from the royal collection. Each piece is highlighted inside a stunningly carved wooden pantry cabinet.

Carlota’s Sitting Room

Carlota Amelia, princess of Belgium, married Emperor Maximilian when she was only 17 years old. But Carlota came from a long family line of kings and queens who knew their place. She understood that to be a sovereign sometimes meant leaving your home country. But not only that, it meant adopting a new country as your homeland. Carlota did exactly this and studied a great deal about Mexican culture before she arrived. She even changed her name from the native Charlotte to Carlota to better fit in in Mexico society.

The Virgin of Guadalupe

In her sitting room, which you can still view today, you can see elements of the Mexican Catholic culture. Carlota was a devote Christian, and since Mexico was a fiercely religious country, she felt immediately comforted by these shared beliefs. Throughout her apartments, you can see how she loved to fill her home with religious iconography. The most beautiful of these pieces in this room is the minature bust of mother Mary, dressed in gold-embroidered fabrics. Above her is a large painting of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. But to the left of the image of the Vatican is a small painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The Virgin of Guadalupe is often referred to as the Mexican Mother Mary. Always identifiable by her blue cloak behind a radiating blast of sunlight.

Carlota’s Bathroom

Carlota’s bathroom is one of the rooms which has remained almost untouched for a century. In the centre of the room is a giant bathtub made from a single-block marble. One can only imagine it would have been pretty difficult to move such a heavy piece of marble. Perhaps this was the reason the room hasn’t changed much? Behind the tub are a series of intricate tiles, painted with peonies and cherry blossoms. These were imported from China along with various other Chinese porcelain, which can be found in the room.

Carlota’s Bedroom

The decoration of the palace during Maximilian’s reign almost bankrupted the country. He was obsessed with importing expensive furnishings from Europe along with tapestries, carpets, dishes, tiles and more! Looking inside Carlota’s bedroom, one can see the opulence of their taste. Everything in the room feels like it was made custom just for this space. They even have monogrammed lettering on the iron bed frame. The turquoise blue theme of the room spills into every piece of furniture and all the textiles. It feels like an ocean wave, swallowing you up.

On the bed’s headboard, you can see a golden medallion featuring the coat of arms of Mexico. On either side of the crest are two golden lions. Blending the Mexican symbols with the Austrian lions.

Tea Room

Beside Carlota’s bedroom is her tea room, where she should retire after a long day with her ladies in waiting. It might surprise you to learn that Carlota’s most trusted ladies-in-waiting were from important Mexican families. She chose this instead of bringing European ladies with her. This was once more due to her wanting to assimilate with the people she was destined to rule. Maximilian trusted his wife so implicitly that anytime he left the country on business, he didn’t hesitate to hand the reins of government over to her. She cared so deeply for the wellbeing of her new country he knew it was in good hands with her.

Gobelins Room

The most impressive room on the first floor is the Gobelins Room. Staring back at you from any of the walls are portraits of Maximilian and Carlota. Painted in different periods of their life. Despite having only lived in the palace for a short period, these portraits allow us to feel like they are still a part of the castle today.

Two of the largest pieces of furniture in the room are two great pianos. One French and one English. Both of them belonged to Maximilian and his wife. They were each great fans of music and filled their home these instruments.

Hidden Rooms

Behind a set of doors at the end of the hall is a hidden elevator. This elevator was once used to bring people from the bottom of the hill up into the castle.

Agreement Hall

After the castle became the primary residence of the president, there needed to be an official meeting room built inside. This was where the President could receive members of his cabinet. The Agreement Hall was designed in the early 20th century. The green velvet tabletops and portraits of past presidents on the walls make the entire room feel very presidential. The portraits feature historical figures such as Presidents Madero, Carranza, Obregon, Calles Gil, Rubio, Rodriguez and Cardenas.

Waiting Room

Just beside the Agreements Hall is a small waiting room. Two mahogany carved chairs sit on either side of an enormous clock in the centre. On either side of the clock are two large brass sculptures of the eagle of Mexico City. Before being given an audience with the president, guests would wait in here before being admitted into the agreement hall.

Courtyard Garden

Before heading up to the second floor, take a minute to walk around the small courtyard garden. The hedges and fountain wrap around the front of the palace and the outer balcony terrace looks out over the city. In the centre of the garden is the Grasshopper fountain. The bronze grasshopper statue in the fountain is symbolic of the Aztec name for the hilltop. The sculpture was made by Luis Albarran y Pilego in 1924.

Hero Children of the Battle of Chapultepec

Surrounding the grasshopper fountain are six sculptures of young men dressed in military garb. Each one represents one of the cadets who died defending the castle during the battle against the Americans. The power of their heroism for defending their school lives on through these depictions. Most of their faces were artistic interpretations with the exception of Juan Escutia. We knew what he looked like the artist could work off a photograph to sculpt him exactly. Juan is seen holding the Mexican flag in his arms. Juan’s death was the most powerful images of the battle. When they found his body it was said he wrapped himself in the flag before jumping to his death.

Lions Staircase

In 1878, the terrace needed to be expanded to accommodate the new National Astronomical, Meteorological and Magnetic Observatory. Therefore a second floor was built to accommodate for these new buildings. Later, when Porfirio Díaz moved in, he remodelled this upper level to create a new set of presidential rooms. But he also wanted to design a regal staircase, that reflected the grandiosity of his chambers.

Lion’s Staircase

The Lion’s Staircase was built with bright white Carrara marble to contrast the deep brass of the railings. On either side of the staircase, two large marble lions guard the entrance. The lions were based on the neoclassical lion statues, that guard Pope Clement XIII’s mausoleum in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The sleeping lion on the left represents peace and tranquillity. The one on the right with its eyes open represents the safeguarding of the castle.

Stained Glass Staircase

In 1915, the staircase was remodelled on the instructions of President Venustiano Carranza. Prior to Carranza, the staircase was open to the elements. He came up with the idea of adding in the stained glass panels to protect the stairwell from cold, the rain and even just from the bugs!

They employed famed artists Jorge Enciso, Alberto Garduno and Saturnino Hernán to design these stained glass windows. Their floral and vegetal patterns that frame the windows were inspired by the Mexican landscape. Various windows feature these medallions with the images of the Mexican coat of arms and as well as the grasshopper, the symbol of Chapultapec.

Terrace

In 1839, Ángel and Inglis Calderón de la Barca moved to Mexico City from their home in Spain. Ángel was sent to Mexico as the new Spanish minister. Upon their arrival, Inglis went by the name the Marquise Calderon de la Barca. Inglis would go on to become one of the most famous female literary figures of the 19th-century. During her time in Mexico, she wrote accounts of her travels and assembled them into a book titled Life in Mexico.

When she arrived at the Chapultepec Castle, the building was empty and rotting. But the terrace was her sanctuary. It overlooked the Valley of Mexico. From there she could appreciate the beauty of the city with its aqueducts, green forests, churches and turquoise sky. On clear days, she could see the snow-covered volcanos, the Ajusco and the mountains that surround the valley of Mexico. 

The Bacchantes

Throughout the outdoor terrace, along the walls, are a series of painted Bacchantes. The bacchantes, whose names translates into the “raving ones” are female followers of Dionysus. They are most often portrayed as in a state of ecstatic frenzy through a combination of dancing and intoxication. The bacchantes are depicted wearing ivy-wreaths around their heads and often handle or wear snakes. They represent being the life of the party! And they seduce all those who look upon them to take part in the festivities. There are five murals in total, with a sixth in a museum, painted by Santiago Rebull in 1902. 

Porfirio Diaz Bedroom

During Díaz’s presidency, his entire family lived outside the city but would come to stay inside Chapultepec Castle during the summer months. Keeping the tradition that dates back to pre-hispanic times of using it as a summer palace. Here they would hold fancy dinner parties and receptions. Diaz and his wife had their bedroom on the second floor of the palace. Their bedrooms were significantly less opulent than the ones on the first floor designed by Maximilian. Signifying the difference between a royal ruler and an elected representative.

Bedroom of Carmen Romero Rubio

Carmen Romero Rubio was the daughter of a prominent military leader with ties to important political circles. She was educated, elegant, discreet and pious. Much like other influential wives, Carmen was instrumental in winning over the Mexican people and some sectors that were usually reluctant to the government. Although she always took care to stay away from the political affairs of the president, she doubtlessly helped improve Diaz’s public image. Her bedroom furniture was imported from France like her husband’s. It reflected her austerity and elegance as well as her taste for European fashions.

Office of Carmen Romero Rubio

Both Diaz and Rubio were avid scholars. They each loved reading and writing and had a treasure trove of books. The couple read everything from history to philosophy to books on the legal system in their library. They would frequently come here to their shared offices to read in peace, away from the rest of the world. Porfirio Díaz and Carmen Romero Rubio remained married until their deaths in exile in France in 1915.

Stained Glass Gallery

During Maximilian’s time in the palace, he wanted to build a roofed-in corridor on the second floor. This was meant to replicate the open terrace on the first floor. But as the years went by, they found that the high winds from the terrace made the rooms on the second floor very chilly at night. When Diaz took occupancy of the castle, he went about enclosing the space. But Diaz didn’t simply want to board it up. Instead, inspired by the stained glass windows inside European palaces and churches, he commissioned his own stained glass gallery.

This hallway does feel more like a sacred space than just a homely hallway. The richness of the colours of glass hasn’t changed an ounce over the years. The windows depict a series of Greco-Roman goddesses. We have Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards. Next, we have Flora, the goddess of flowers and of spring. There is Hebe, the goddess of youth. Diana can be seen, the goddess of hunting and forests. And finally, we have Ceres, the agriculture goddess.

Each one of these women stands beneath a richly ornate arch. Supported on either side by two wonderfully carved columns with motifs in the shapes of plants, flowers and fruit. See if you can spot a few human faces amongst the carvings as well! Above each of the women is a medallion depicting the crest of Mexico City.

Interior Staircase

At the end of the Stained Glass Gallery, you can see the entrance to the interior staircase. The staircase is not accessible to the public. But it would lead from the second floor down to the antechamber below just off the dining room. It’s a beautiful peek into the most private parts of the castle.

Hall of Ambassadors

Opposite the Stained Glass Gallery, is one of the most elaborate rooms on the second floor, the Hall of Ambassadors. When Diaz presided over the country, Mexico saw a huge period of popularity amongst foreign nations. Diplomats from other countries all came to the castle to be entertained by the president. And the main area where they would be hosted was in the Hall of Ambassadors. Designer Epitacio Calvo brought elements of the baroque and the French neo-classical style into the furniture and the decorations.

Tower

In 1878 the first National Astronomical Observatory was built inside Chapultapec Castle. In fact, the large tower in the centre of the interior terrace was built just to house the telescope within. They dubbed this tower, the High Knight. When the castle was converted to a military college, the telescope was moved to the town of Tacubaya.

After moving the telescope out, the military converted the old observatory into a guard tower by adding in some guard posts surrounding the exterior. Today, since the castle is no longer used by the military, the guard posts are filled with beautiful bronze sculptures.

At the very top of the tower is where you’ll find the Mexican flag, flying proudly against a bright blue sky (on most days at least). Even on the ground, far far below the top of Chapultepec Hill, this flag can be seen on clear days. A wonderful icon of the city.

Indoor Concerts

We were lucky enough to be there on the day when a local group of musicians were performing their end-of-semester concert. There are often concerts heard here in the outdoor courtyard. There is nothing better than the sound of acoustic music filling the halls. The perfect way to end a spectacular day.

If you still have any energy left, consider walking through the Museum of Anthropology. It is located inside the old military college just next door to the Castle interiors. If you’re pressed for time, the palace is more than enough to fill your eyes with splendours. But if time allows, the Museum of Anthropology is much more interesting than perhaps it sounds. And is included in the same admission ticket. It’s filled with works incredible murals painted by preeminent Mexican artists. The collection also features objects and images that narrate the history of Mexico from the time of the Conquest to the 20th century. Well worth the effort to explore it if you have the time.

Hopefully, you enjoyed this tour of Chapultepec Castle, a historical gem of Mexico City. Let me know in the comments what your favourite part of the palace was!

Happy Travels Adventurers.

The post A Complete Guided Tour of Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.