History of Agra Fort

Primarily intended as a military structure, the Agra Fort is made up of 20 metre high walls with a circumference of 2.5 kilometres. However, the Agra Fort was later transformed into a city unto itself expanding into a labyrinth of red sandstone and marble buildings, including a palace, a mosque, homes, halls and monuments.

Original construction of the Agra Fort was commenced by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 with successive emperors of the Mughal Dynasty adding to it over time. One particular contributor was Emperor Akbar’s grandson and commissioner of the Taj Mahal, Emperor Shah Jahan, who added further white marble buildings, in effect creating a palace. The ear-shaped layout of the fort was to deter any invaders and make it harder for the city to be breached.

While the Agra Fort was intended to keep out enemies, it in fact transformed into an opulent prison in 1685, when Shah Jahan was imprisoned there for the final eight years of his life when his son, Aurangzeb, seized power.

The British later seized and destroyed much of the fort, using parts of it as a garrison, and today, the Indian military occupy much of the fort – these areas are unsurprisingly off limits to the public.

Some of the most impressive structures within the Agra Fort complex include the Diwan-i-Am or ‘Hall of Public Audiences’, from which Shah Jahan conducted state business, the 17th century Nagina Masjid or ‘Gem Mosque’ and the mirror encrusted Shish Mahal palace. The Anguri Bagh gardens are also very beautiful, having been extensively restored.

Agra Fort today

The fort opens just before sunrise, and closes at sunset: if you go early or late you’ll have a much better chance of taking good photos and not being hassled by local tourists or touts. The complex is large and sprawling – it takes several hours to wander round fully and there are plenty of nooks and crannies which lead to other parts of the palace to explore. Look out for the lovely views of Agra and spot the Taj Mahal in the distance on a clear day.

Getting to Agra Fort

Agra Fort is about a 30 minute walk from the Taj Mahal through the leafy Shah Jahan park. A tuk tuk or taxi should cost under ₹100 and doesn’t take long (although the terrible traffic means there’s not much in it compared to walking).

The mainline railway station, Agra Fort, is close by if you’re travelling to or from Delhi.  You can walk to the fort from Taj Ganj via the leafy Shah Jahan Park, or take an autorickshaw for ₹80. Food is not allowed into the fort. The fort opens 30 minutes before sunrise; the ticket office opens 15 minutes before that. Last entry is 30 minutes before sunset.

A Neoclassical building with a lavish interior, Ajuda National Palace was built from 1802 after the devastating earthquake in which the then royal residence, Ribeira Palace, was destroyed.

Since 1968, Ajuda National Palace has been an art museum as well as a venue for official state functions, with guided tours available.

Ajuda National Palace history

After the 1755 earthquake, the temporary wooden building that housed the Portuguese royal family was replaced by a magnificent modern Neoclassical palace. Over time, the project was paused or slowed because of financial issues or political conflict.

For example, when the Portuguese royals fled to Brazil in 1807 when the French invaded, work on the palace slowed dramatically. The palace was at this point invaded by Napoleon‘s troops and then discontinued by Liberal forces who reduced royal power by installing a constitutional monarchy – much like Britain.

Artistically, the Ajuda National Palace combined the Baroque style – associated with regal authority – and the fashionable Neoclassic from Italy, which dominated. The palace interiors were designed by King Luis I’s reign by Queen Maria Pia, who lived in Ajuda National Palace from the day she became queen in 1862 until the Republican Revolution in 1910, when the royals were forced into exile.

Ajuda National Palace today

Open from 10am until 5.30pm Thursday to Tuesday, the Ajuda National Palace remains a splendid marker of Portugal’s royal past. The grand dining hall alone is worth the 5€ entry fee – still used by the president for hosting state dinners, the room is an immaculate and ornate entertainment space.

As a museum, the palace displays decorative artwork from the 18th and 19th centuries, including lavish gold and silver work, textiles, ceramics as well as paintings, sculpture and photographs.

Getting to Ajuda National Palace

Located in the heart of the Alto da Ajuda district of Lisbon, the Ajuda National Palace is most easily reached on public transport. Both buses and trams 18E stop at Ajuda GNR, and buses 76B, 742 and 760 also stop at the palace square – all just 3-5 minutes walk away.

History of Alcázar of Seville

The oldest royal palace still in use in Europe was founded originally as a fort for the area’s Cordoban governors in 913 AD – on a site where a Roman fortress once stood. Two centuries later through Europe’s Dark Ages, the city’s Moorish Muslim leaders built Al-Muwarak (‘The Blessed’) and then in the centuries that followed, Moorish (12th-13th), Gothic (13th), Mujédar (14th) and Renaissance (15th-16th) architecture was added to form a visually magnificent yet architecturally eclectic palace.

The complex of palaces at Alcázar of Seville is widely regarded as the finest example of Mujédar architecture on the Iberian peninsula, with many influences from Moorish and Christian culture.

In 1364, ‘Peter the Cruel’ rebuilt the existing structures and established the palace as a royal residence.

Alcázar of Seville today

Visitors can walk through rooms, halls, gates and piazzas including the Puerta del León (Lion Gate), the Patio de las Doncellas (Courtyard of the Maidens), Los Baños de Doña María de Padilla (the Baths of Lady Maria de Padilla) and La Casa de Contratación (House of Trade) as well as the equally impressive gardens. The highlight of which is the Galeria de Grutesco, a raised gallery with 16th century porticoes crafted from an old Muslim-era wall.

It was only a matter of time until the Game of Thrones location researchers came across Alcázar of Seville and it became the perfect setting for the Water Gardens palace in Dorne, the home of House Martell of Sunspear featured in season six.

Getting to Alcázar of Seville

Located in the centre of Seville by the Jardines de Murillo, the palace is best reached on foot. The nearest metro station is Puerta de Jerez.

Today, the original Victorian theatre with its stage machinery survives and since 2019 has been back in use. Since 2004 when the first performance in around 70 years took place, Ally Pally has been host to a varied range of sports and music events, including sell out shows by Panic at the Disco and filming of The X Factor.

Alexandra Palace history

The ‘Palace of the People’ was an idea from Welsh architect Owen Jones in 1859, although the construction was delayed because raising funds was difficult. Materials for building were largely recycled from the 1862 International Exhibition building in Kensington after it was demolished.

The new public palace was to be built on the land of Tottenham Wood Farm and converted into a park, open to the public from July 1863. The palace was named after Alexandra of Denmark, the popular princess who married Prince Edward in 1863.

Tragedy struck only 16 days after opening when a fire destroyed the palace and killed three members of staff. However, the palace was quickly rebuilt and reopened in 1875, boasting a concert hall, museum, art galleries, a lecture hall, library, banqueting hall and large theatre. The theatre was equipped with innovative machines that allowed artists to disappear and be flown through the air.

The park grounds were also full of leisure opportunities: an open-air swimming pool was constructed as well as a horse racing course with a grandstand, London’s only racecourse until 1970 when it closed. During World War One, the park was closed and used as a refugee camp for displaced Belgians and later an internment camp for Germans and Austrians.

The palace was also home of the BBC broadcast tower from the 1960s, used for BBC News broadcasts until 1969. The antenna still stands and continues to be used for local television and radio services.

Alexandra Palace today

Today, the 196 acres of parkland surrounding Alexandra Palace offer a wealth of activities for visitors of all interests and ages. The parkland is open and boasts a GoApe adventure site, as well as an ice-skating rink that often hosts ice-hockey games.

After a drink on the terrace, come in under the glass arched ceiling tickled by palm trees, to see a gig or comedy show. From the top of the hill, the views across London from Alexandra Palace are also well worth the visit.

Getting to Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace is easily located using London’s central transport system. Alexandra Palace station operates on Great Northern and Thameslink services and the W3 bus will take you from there up the hill to the palace, or you can walk the 10 minutes uphill. There is also free parking on site for those driving.

History of the Alhambra

Originally established in 1238 by the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, Muhammad Ibn al Ahmar, it was expanded in the 13th century by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada of the Nasrid Dynasty, who passed the project onto his son and heir, Mohammad V. Mohammed completed the Alhambra in the 14th century, including the Palacio Nazaríes. Thus the Alhambra became the royal residence of the Nasrid ‘emirs’ or princes until 1492, when it was conquered by the Christians.

In fact, Arabic texts show that there was a fortress at the Alhambra from the 9th century and evidence even points to it being inhabited during Roman times, but the work of the Nasrid Dynasty was the first incarnation of the Alhambra fortified palace complex as it is known today.

The Alhambra area, known as Albayzin, was also an important stronghold for the eleventh century Zirid Dinasty and for the Andalusians in the twelfth century.

The Alhambra today

Today, the Alhambra is open to the public. Visitors can tour its palaces, including the Palacio Nazaríes and the 16th century Palace of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. The Alcazaba or “citadel” is another highlight of the Alhambra, this being the main element of the complex’s fortifications.

The Alhambra is centred on two main courtyards, the Court of the Lions and the Court of Myrtles, the former with a fountain and the latter with a long pool. Its beautiful Generalife gardens and buildings are also worth visiting, while the Alhambra Museum offers everything from Nasrid art to archaeological finds.

The Alhambra contains a wealth of building and monuments and a visit usually lasts around 3 hours. The Alhambra’s website is very useful for downloading tours onto mobile devices as well as maps and itineraries. Audio guides are available on site.

Getting to the Alhambra

The Alhambra is atop a hill in the east of Granada. It’s a short uphill walk from the centre of town, but don’t do it at midday in the summer nonetheless unless you want to get very sweaty! Fortunately there’s parking close by and several bus stops on the Paseo de Generalife if you don’t fancy the walk.

History of Amalienborg Slot

Made up of four externally similar buildings built around a central courtyard, Amalienborg Slot was completed in 1760. The first residents of the palace were not royals, but rather wealthy families. However, in 1749, Amalienborg Slot became a  palace after Christiansborg Slot was destroyed in a fire and the royal family bought it from the families living there. An architect was brought in to add colonnades between some of the palaces.

The four buildings are divided into Christian IX’s Palace, Christian VII’s Palace, Christian VIII’s Palace (now the Amalienborg Museum) and Frederik VIII’s Palace. The palaces still remain very much in use, and remains the home of the Danish Royal Family. It’s guarded accordingly by the Royal Life Guards and a changing of the guard ceremony happens daily at noon.

Amalienborg Slot today

Visitors can tour parts of Amalienborg Slot, viewing royal collections and objects as well as enjoying the palace’s Rococo architecture, including the ornate Knight’s Chamber. The palace is open daily between June and September and irregularly the rest of the year – it’s best to check precise hours before going.

The entrance hall of the palace is also fascinating, having been restored to its eighteenth century state. In the central courtyard, the sculpture of Frederik V is understood to have been as expensive to create as Amalienborg Slot itself.

Getting to Amalienborg Slot

Amalienborg Slot is in the centre of Copenhagen, right by the harbour. The nearest metro station is Marmorkirken, a 4 minute walk away and next to Frederikskirke (the Marble Church). Otherwise, like everywhere in Copenhagen, bike or foot is the best bet on getting here swiftly and easily. Nyhaven and Charlottenborg are a 5 minute walk away.

History of Amer Fort

The settlement at Amer was founded in the 10th century by Raja Alan Singh, and the fortress was originally begun in the 11th century by the Rajputs. Most of what is visible today, however, dates to the 16th and 17th centuries, when major works were completed by Raja Man Singh I. Whilst technically a fort, much of the interior resembles far more of a palace.

Amer – formerly known as Dhundar – was the capital of the region until 1727, when it was moved to the city of Jaipur. Parts of the palace fell into disrepair and have been since restored.

Amer Fort today

The fort gets busy, unsurprisingly. It’s a steep climb up to the fort itself – avoid the elephants if possible: they’re kept solely for tourist purposes in the modern world, and often in poor conditions.

The interior of the fort is spectacular: there’s a lot to see, and the winding passageways and dead ends make it hard to know if you’ve seen everything there is. Particular highlights include the Diwan-i-Khas  (Hall of Public Audience) and the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) within. Sheesh Mahal is completely covered in beautiful patterns of tiny mosaic shards of mirror and coloured glass: it glistens and sparkles in the sunlight. Supposedly it was created for the Maharani (queen) so that she could see the stars at night.

The Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) is also glorious, with its intricate inlaid panels and mirrored ceiling. Opposite you’ll find the Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure), which was cooled from the fierce Rajasthani desert heat by channels of water running through the room.

Views over the Maota Lake are lovely, and look out for hidden staircases as you near the end of the palace, which offer views over the Jaigarh Fort behind. Allow at least half a day here, if not a full day if you plan on visiting the Jaigarh Fort too.

It’s worth remembering entrance is cheaper in the evening for foreigners. There’s a sound and light show in the evenings too which is extremely popular.

Getting to Amer Fort

Bus AC-5 runs along Johari Bazaar Road / Hawa Mahal Road directly to Amer – hop on at any point along the route. The journey takes about 40 minutes depending on the speed of your driver and how lenient he is with stops. Otherwise, you can easily hire a taxi or tuktuk to take you the 12km from Jaipur to Amer: the drive should only take about 25 minutes, traffic dependent. There are plenty of drivers lurking outside Amer Fort ready to whisk you back into town when you finish.

History of the Ansbach Residenz

The foundations of Ansbach Residenz date back to 1363 when the construction of a large, moated castle began. Eventually, with the completion of the castle in 1456, Ansbach became the official residency of the Margraves of Ansbach.

It wasn’t until 1703, when Margrave William Frederic came to rule the residence that substantial changes occurred to the palace, brought about by the craftsmanship of Gabriel de Gabrieli, Karl Friedrich von Zocha and Leopold Retti.

The final stage of development began in 1726 when construction of the Ansbach Orangery began, designed by von Zocha. Located in the palace grounds but regarded as a distinctly separate building, the Orangery and parterre leading up to it boast a variety of fruit and herbs, including oranges, pistachios, strawberries and olives. The inspiration for the Orangery came from both the Louvre, where an adaptation of the colonnades can be seen, and from the Grand Trianon at Versailles.

Since its design in 1726 the Ansbach Orangery has had some modification, including monuments to the botanist Leonhart Fuchs and the poet Johann Peter Uz as well as other prominent members of Ansbach government. Yet perhaps the most interesting monument in the palace gardens is that to Kaspar Hauser, a young man murdered in there in December 1833. His birth, life, and death remain a mystery but his impact on Ansbach can still be felt by the various monuments and statues dotted around the town.

From 1792 the government located at Ansbach began to lose its power when it was incorporated into Prussian territory. In 1806 it finally became part of Bavaria, becoming the capital of Middle Franconia in 1838.

Ansbach Residenz today

Famous for its internal rather than external beauty, Ansbach Residenz houses the largest and most importance collection of Ansbach faience and pottery in the world, which is on display in the Gothic Hall, the only surviving building from the palace’s original medieval construction.

The palace boasts 27 beautifully decorated Rococo inspired rooms, largely attributed to Leopold Retti, including the Banqueting Hall – boasting an impressive fresco by Carlo Carlone – the Art Gallery and the Mirror Cabinet, all containing decorative work illustrating the history of the Margraves of Ansbach. The unorthodox and distinctive style of these rooms became known as ‘Ansbach Rococo’.

Today the Ansbach Orangery houses a café and restaurant as well as concerts and events, the largest being the ‘Rococo Festival’ which takes place annually in July. The Residence is open year round (closed Mondays), with slightly shorter hours during the winter.

Getting to the Ansbach Residenz

The Residence is in the centre of Ansbach, close to the river and just off the Promenade. The Hoffgarten is a 5 minute walk away. The main Ansbach station is less than a 10 minute walk away, with regular connections to Nuremberg and Stuttgart.

Ayutthaya history

After the decline of the Khmer Empire in the late 14th century, Ayutthaya was established as the capital of Siam around 1350 by Ramadhipati, a Thai vassal who forced the original King to swear allegiance to him. It remained as such for approximately 400 years, passing under the reign of 33 kings, each of whom deified themselves as Buddhas.

However, a series of socio-economic and political fluctuations meant Ayutthaya was left vulnerable to attacks from the Burmese in the mid 18th century. In 1767, Ayutthaya was destroyed by Burmese attacks, stripping it of most of its stunning architecture and art.

Ayutthaya today

Nevertheless, Ayutthaya is still an incredible source of Thai history, its beautiful ruins marking the once thriving city and port. Visitors can still view Ayutthaya’s many Buddha statues, its giant complex of temples which once numbered an estimated four hundred and three palaces.

For those looking to discover more about the history of Ayutthaya and Thailand you can visit museums such as the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, which contains many original artefacts, and the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre includes models depicting what life in Ayutthaya might have been like.

Perhaps the best way to get around in Ayutthaya is by bicycle, with its many cycling routes providing a natural itinerary. Ayutthaya is usually an entire day’s trip, particularly for those coming from Bangkok and tours are available.

Getting to Ayutthaya

Getting to Ayutthaya from Bangkok can be done via train or minibus. Trains to Ayutthaya leave from Hua Lamphong station and take around 90 minutes (find ticket prices and timetables online). Minibuses leave from Mo Chit station or the Northern Bus Terminal and cost around 60 THB.

The castle was built between 1833 and 1849 and was an example of 19th century neo-Gothic architecture, and served as the summer residence of Emperor Wilhelm I.

Another unique feature of Babelsberg are the beautiful grounds, which contain landscaped gardens, terraces, sculptures, and fountains, and are part of Babelsberg Park more widely.

Babelsberg Castle forms part of the ‘Palaces and Parks of Potsdam’ UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History of Babelsberg Castle

Babelsberg Castle (also known as Babelsberg Palace) is in the eponymous park and quarter of Potsdam, the capital of the German state of Brandenburg, near Berlin.

The castle was modelled after British – particularly Tudor – designs, and was thus designed and built in the English Gothic Revival style in two phases over the period 1835-1849.

It was built to be a summer residence for Crown Prince Wilhelm – later Emperor Wilhelm I. Indeed, for over 50 years, Prince Wilhelm and his wife, Augusta of the House of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, German Empress and Queen of Prussia, enjoyed it every summer.

Wilhelm commissioned famed architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel to design and build the palace, with the result being a palace that was unlike anything else in the capital.

The castle is two stories high, and includes private rooms for Wilhelm and Augusta, as well as a number of outbuildings. The interior features a hall-like dining room, an octagonal ballroom with a starry sky, and rooms for the royal couple’s children. There are also castle elements, with battlements and pointed arches punctuating the skyline.

Following Wilhelm’s death, interest in the palace subsided as his successors chose to live in other castles in the Potsdam area. After the Second World War, the palace was the location for a School for Film and Television, and was the temporary home of a pre- and early history museum.

Babelsberg Castle Today

Today, visitors can enjoy the castle and its stunning setting, with breathtaking views of the Havel river and the steamers chugging by remaining unchanged since the Crown Prince Wilhelm gazed over the very same landscape.

The park is over 124 acres in size, and features attractions such as the Pleasure Ground, Golden Rose Stairs, the Victory Column, and the Flatowturm (Flatow Tower).

The castle is less well-known than the nearby and equally resplendent Sanssouci, which makes for a relatively uncrowded historical experience.

Getting to Babelsberg Castle

Babelsberg Castle is an hour-long walk from the centre of Potsdam, via Friedrich-List-Straße/B1. By car, it takes around 15 minutes, via Allee nach Glienicke. The best way to reach it is probably by Berlin’s excellent public transport system, with a number of connecting buses and trams departing  from the centre of Potsdam every 20 minutes.