Usually there is a flag above Buckingham Palace - this means that the Queen is in the building. But at the end of summer, Elizabeth II leaves her home, and Buckingham Palace opens its doors to tourists. They can look at the luxury of the royal court with their own eyes. Gilded ceilings and silk-covered walls, exquisite furniture, antique vases and elegant candelabra - the halls are so splendid.
Formally, Buckingham Palace is the property of the royal family. But at the same time it is considered a tourist attraction and serves as an art gallery. This is the hallmark of Great Britain.
Buckingham Palace is located in Westminster, near Pall Mall. On the vast square nearby is a monument to Queen Victoria, made of snow-white marble and gilding. The residence itself was “sandwiched” between high-rise buildings and buildings in the Art Nouveau style. This is a real town, because outside the gates there is a swimming pool, a post office, a police department, a hospital and its own cinema. Together with the garden, the area of the complex reaches 20 hectares. Visitors are strictly divided into two categories: some enter through the main entrance, and the rest through the side service entrance. The right to pass through the front doors belongs to the royal family, their retinue, courtiers and ladies-in-waiting, government representatives and dignitaries.
Buckingham Palace is huge, as it should be - there are about 700 rooms inside. The predominant colors are red and gold. Among them are fifty royal bedrooms, approximately 200 rooms for guests and staff, about a hundred offices and the queen’s study. Prince Philip, Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex also work in the building.
The history of the palace began in the 18th century. The architectural masterpiece Buckingham House was erected by order of the Duke of Buckingham. The owner was dissatisfied with the new house - he smelled mold everywhere, although the others did not notice this. Soon the Duke died, and the widowed wife could not live within the walls of the building - every object reminded her of her husband. She left and soon died of grief. The Duke's heir has put Buckingham Palace up for sale.
George III became interested in the pretty structure. He was looking for a new private residence - the previous one did not suit him with its size and decoration. In 1762, Buckingham House passed into the hands of the monarch, who began a large-scale restoration. At the same time, a large library was built and the rooms were decorated with paintings by Italian artists.
The residence changed its name - now it is called the “Queen’s House”. Most of the time, the monarch's wife, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, was the hostess here, and George III visited occasionally. Frequent guests of Buckingham Palace were artists who painted portraits of all the royalty of England. Later, famous architects worked their magic on the complex, creating three similar buildings and combining them into a common ensemble. In the center there is a spacious courtyard.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Buckingham Palace was officially declared the residence of British monarchs. Queen Victoria began to rule and paid a lot of attention to the masterpiece. The reconstruction affected the interior, an additional outbuilding was also created, and the location of the main entrance was changed. Gardens, waterfalls and lakes were built.
The people did not like this change. The restoration cost 700 thousand pounds sterling - a large sum by the standards of the 19th century. In difficult times for the country, this seemed like an unaffordable luxury. But the changes continued. In the 60s, the ballroom was completed and used for the first time for a reception in honor of the end of the Crimean War.
At first, the furnishings of the house were created in the Georgian style. During the reign of Edward VII, the decoration was changed to French Art Nouveau, and some of the premises were decorated in Chinese themes. Today, Buckingham Palace continues to serve the royal family - it hosts special events and receptions of national importance.
Today, the royal residence is visited by a lot of tourists - about 30 thousand during the summer months. Guests are immediately struck by the powerful entrance gate and the calm appearance of the gray brick building. The original appearance of the structure has been preserved only on the western side, facing the garden. But the most famous is the eastern façade of Buckingham Palace. The lower floor is decorated with bas-reliefs of the Doric order, and the upper - Corinthian. The front side of the building is complemented by allegorical figures. The triangular part of the palace facade looks elegant thanks to the coat of arms. Above it are sculptures of Neptune, Navigation and Trade. The northern part of the building is occupied by private chambers. In the main building, facing St. James's Palace, there are State Rooms.
Even before entering Buckingham Palace, you can get a vivid impression - watch the changing of the guard. The ceremony is held daily from April to the end of summer, and every other day during the rest of the period. The spectacle attracts a crowd of tourists. The stage is the area in front of the balcony.
On a large table near the palace there is a schedule for the changing of the guard. If you want to photograph the spectacle without interference, you need to first take care of a place near the fence of Buckingham Palace. At 11:30 the “performance” begins - the guards from the Court Division show equanimity and impeccable training.
Until 1993, it was impossible for an ordinary tourist to get inside the building. Buckingham Palace is now open to visitors during the Queen's departure (August and September). The residence begins with a lobby decorated with marble columns. At the entrance there is a sculpture gallery uniting busts and statues of representatives of the dynasty of monarchs and statesmen. The atmosphere inside is reminiscent of a museum. The rooms are furnished with antique furniture that has survived more than one generation. Among the items is porcelain that belonged to Napoleon.
The pride of Buckingham Palace is the State Rooms, the Royal Gallery and the Mews. The elegance of the rooms has remained almost unchanged since the days of Queen Victoria. The “heart” of the palace is the State Halls. Exquisite furniture, unique Sevres porcelain, elegant sculptures - that's what you can see there. The premises are decorated with masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Canaletto. The state rooms are available to visitors only two months a year - in August and September. The rest of the time, Elizabeth II and representatives of the royal family hold official events and receptions here.
In total, there are 19 State Rooms in Buckingham Palace: the white and green living rooms, the guard room, the Throne Room, the State Dining Room and several more rooms. They are arranged sequentially in one row, in enfilades - it feels as if the rooms are strung on a thread. Among them, the Green Living Room is considered central. A chest of drawers made of ebony and decorated with precious stones looks important. Antique vases made by the hands of famous craftsmen add solidity to the room. The walls of the Green Living Room are lined with silk, and the ceiling is decorated with gilding. The Green Drawing Room once served as Queen Charlotte's salon. Today invited guests are waiting to be received here.
Want to take a look at the room where formal photo shoots take place at Buckingham Palace? Check out the Throne Room. This room was once used for balls with royal participation. The Throne Room contains majestic chairs with the initials of the royal family. From here you can get to the art gallery.
From the Main Throne Room, guests go to the Art Gallery. This part of the palace appeared in the 70s on the initiative of the Duke of Edinburgh. Previously, there were the ruins of a private chapel, which was destroyed during the Second World War. The Gallery is the main addition to Buckingham Palace over the past 150 years.
The art gallery is the largest room of the palace: length – 50 m, width – 8 m. Its size is comparable to two tennis courts. Walking leisurely around the room, you can look at paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Dyck.
The Royal Gallery houses a large collection of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and a Faberge egg. The exhibition is regularly updated - visitors are presented with exhibitions based on the collection of British monarchs. Bas-reliefs are placed on the fireplaces made of marble. In the sculptures you can recognize the features of famous artists.
The state dining room at Buckingham Palace looks impressive: extravagant red color, huge mahogany table, image of George IV above the fireplace. The walls are decorated with portraits of royalty. The table is so long that 600 people can fit behind it.
The white living room is decorated in soft golden tones. A chic white chandelier, rich stucco, elegant sofas and armchairs - this is how it appears to visitors. The white and golden background is everywhere - in architectural details and furniture. A large collection of antique objects is not the only advantage of the living room. There is also a secret door leading to the Throne Room.
The Carriage House is also open to the public. Cars and carriages “live” inside, which are used for ceremonial and daily trips. In a separate room there is a huge Golden carriage. It is used in coronations and special occasions. The transparent carriage for royal brides also attracts the eye.
There are thoroughbred horses in the stalls. On the wall next to each there is an inscription with a name that the queen herself came up with. The stables only house horses for carriages. The stables are available to guests from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open until 3:15 p.m.). Since 2011, you can visit the Carriage House all year round. However, it remains active. You can explore the stables on your own or join a group - the tour is in English. When visiting for the first time, the ticket must be stamped - it is valid for a year for repeat excursions. If the inspection is scheduled for Friday, it is advisable to check the museum’s opening hours. It may not work due to official events.
Walking through the halls of Buckingham Palace takes much longer due to the area. Tourists are advised to first get acquainted with the Royal Gallery and the Carriage House, and then go on a tour of the State Apartments.
Smoothly and unexpectedly, from a spacious room with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, visitors enter a luxurious garden. It resembles Eden: a lake with islands, waterfalls, flowering trees, magnificent lawns and flower beds, pink flamingos. The territory is vast - 17 hectares. These are the largest private gardens in London. The solitude is disturbed only by the hum of helicopters that constantly fly over the residence.
Three times a year, a ceremonial tea party with the queen is held in the garden. The event is attended by approximately 10 thousand guests. There are no casual visitors at an informal meeting - everyone deserves to be present at a noble reception. Ordinary people feel free - for their sake, Elizabeth II abolished the dress code. Only black and bare shoulders were banned. Guests are treated to tea, miniature sandwiches with red caviar, chocolate cakes and biscuits.
Tourists can relax in the summer cafe, which is located right next to Buckingham Palace. Sitting at a table, you can drink a cup of tea or eat ice cream. Guests are allowed to stroll along the southern part of the garden, which offers views of the western part of the building and the lake.
Excursions are not complete without souvenirs - they are offered by a local store. Among the assortment are items from the “royal collection”. They are the same as everyday items at Buckingham Palace: towels, kitchen utensils, various small items. You can buy sweets, cookies, jewelry, pens and key rings, and a napkin with the Queen’s monogram.
The road to the majestic building is simple: take the metro and get off at Piccadilly Circle, Victoria or St James's Park stations. Then the path goes through Green Park straight to Buckingham Palace.
Follow the signs to avoid getting lost. Tourists can visit the “Queen’s House” in August and September (from 9:45 to 18:00). But entry is allowed until 15:45. Tours for guests are offered every 15 minutes and last approximately two hours. Photography is prohibited inside. You have to pay for the pleasure of exploring a royal landmark. The cost is symbolic - £10.25 for guests under 17 years old, £16 for students, £18 for adults. The price has not changed since 1993, when tourists were given access to the complex. Children under 5 years old do not need a ticket.
Guests are offered several excursion options to choose from. You can only look at the premises of Buckingham Palace or buy a general ticket. Then you will visit not only the State Rooms, but also the royal stables and the art gallery. An audio guide in Russian will help you find your way. Don't want to crowd in a long line? Some tourists purchase tickets on the Buckingham Palace website in advance www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace. When filling out the form, check the box next to the “Collect on Arrival” option - then you can pick up your order at the palace box office, otherwise the tickets will be sent by mail.
Great Britain is a country that has a lot to be proud of. The Tower of London, Sherwood Forest, Piccadilly Circus, Stonehenge, Trafalgar Square and many other attractions remain in the hearts and memories of tourists for a long time. Not least on this list is Buckingham Palace in London. The building is not only a famous place in England, but also its symbol. And it really has every right to bear such a responsible title.
Buckingham Palace, like the Vatican, is a kind of state within a state, which has its own swimming pool, post office, huge cinema, hospital and gym. And it all began not so long ago, in the 17th century. The plot of land on which the royal residence is located today belonged to royalty until the beginning of the 17th century. During the reign of James I, silkworms began to be raised here, and therefore the entire plantation was planted with mulberries. In 1628, the garden was presented to Lord Aston by Charles I. For the next 70 years, this plot belonged to everyone. Only in 1698, John Sheffield, the future Duke of Buckingham, became the sole owner of that piece of land that turned into an area of amazing beauty. Sheffield demolished all existing buildings in the garden. He began construction of Buckingham Palace, which was then called Buckingham House. The entire construction project cost seven thousand pounds, and its creators were the developer William Talman and the architect John Fitch.
In 1761, George III bought the estate, where he created a private family residence for his wife, Queen Charlotte, and their offspring. The estate acquired the name "Queen's House". From 1762 to 1776, William Chambers carried out a number of reconstruction works. He also began modernizing the building. It cost 73 thousand pounds. The best craftsmen of that era were involved in decorating the interior of the palace. Thus, the design and painting of the ceilings were carried out by Robert Adam and Giovanni Battista Chapriani, respectively.
The beginning of the 19th century was the start for the creation of a completely new royal palace. Even then, plans arose for this construction. But as soon as George IV, the heir of George III, took the throne, he refused to turn the fairy tale into reality. King George IV had already reached the age of 60, he was ill and also overweight. Life in the “Queen's House” reminded him of his childhood, and he wanted to turn the estate into his palace. John Nash was named as the official architect in charge of all the work. Five years were spent transforming the Queen's House into a massive U-shaped building. It began to bear the name Buckingham Palace.
John created a truly masterpiece. He made the facade of the house wider and added two wings that were directed to the east. Contemporaries unanimously claim that the architect did a tremendous job, but they also insist that Buckingham Palace in London was too expensive. By the end of the 20s of the 19th century, John spent 500 thousand pounds on the reconstruction of the building. When George IV died, the Duke of Wellington, the British Prime Minister, removed John Nash from his post, citing the builder's reckless waste of money. Edward Blore was appointed as the new professional. He made the eastern facade wider in one direction and the other, and on the southern side he built a new entrance, which was called the Entrance of Ambassadors. By the beginning of 1834, under the leadership of this man, the construction of the state rooms was completed.
Eight years after her coronation, Queen Victoria realized that Buckingham Palace did not have enough space for relaxation and living. She reported this to Robert Peel, her Prime Minister. Edward Blore was commissioned to draw up plans for another wing on the east side. In 1846, the proceeds from the sale of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton (53 thousand pounds) financed construction work. On the main new facade, a central balcony was erected, which Prince Albert dreamed of. From here, Queen Victoria watched her troops march to the Crimean War. At the same place she greeted them when they returned.
In the early 50s of the 19th century, the architect James Pennethorne completed the design of those rooms that were connected by galleries with John Nash's state apartments in the southern part of the palace. The new premises were made in the Renaissance style.
In 1901, King Edward VII became king of England. During this period, the interior of Buckingham Palace began to be considered outdated and did not meet the standards of the time. In this regard, the monarch began a rapid restoration of the estate. Improvements affected the ventilation, heating and electric lighting systems. The main shades for the new design were gold and white. This interior still exists today in the Ballroom and many other state rooms.
Buckingham Palace, as it is known today, took on its appearance for ten years after Queen Victoria passed away. In 1911, the area in front of the building's façade was covered with gravel. A beautiful iron fence with gates made of bronze was installed around the entire structure. The statue of the queen was also given its place of honor. And in 1913, the eastern facade of the castle was completely redesigned. The material chosen for it was gray Portland stone.
The Duke of Edinburgh initiated the creation of a public gallery for the royal art exhibition. During the hostilities of World War II, the Private Chapel was turned into ruins. In its place a royal art gallery appeared. In 2002 it was completely updated and expanded.
With over 700 rooms, Buckingham Palace is a truly impressive building. There are 52 bedrooms for members of the royal family and their guests, 188 bedrooms for staff, 78 bathrooms and 52 office spaces. The most popular and world-famous room is the balcony, where the royal couple stays during festive and special events.
Buckingham Palace, whose address is Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1A 1AA, UK, receives from 30 to 50 thousand tourists every year. And this number is constantly increasing.
There is another tradition that many people want to see. This is a theatrical action of indescribable beauty. The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace occurs daily in the summer and every other day in the winter. The action is rehearsed down to the smallest details, even such as turning the head. It all starts at 11.30 and lasts 45 minutes. The tradition of this ritual began in 1660, when it was decided that only the guards of the royal court had the right to stand guard near the palaces of English monarchs.
The royal guard is commanded by a captain. A lieutenant heads each department. The second lieutenant carries the battalion banner. One guard includes 36 soldiers and three officers. While in the Queen's palace, four sentries are stationed near the main entrance. In her absence, their number is reduced to two people. The guards are on duty for two hours. They are given twice as much time for rest. They do not stand in the same place for more than ten minutes, as they have the right to walk in front of the booth.
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace takes place between St James's and Buckingham Palaces and Wellington Barracks. At its core, the whole process is the replacement of old guards with new ones. At 11.00 the old guard forms up near St James's Palace, then passes along The Mall (at 11.15), at which time it is accompanied by the regimental band, and heads towards Buckingham Palace. In the square, which is located on the right side of the residence, Buckingham's old guard occupies its place. The guards of St. James's Palace enter through the south gate and stand on the left side of the square. At 11.10 the new guard begins the procession to Buckingham Palace from Wellington Barracks. It is also accompanied by its own orchestra.
At approximately half past eleven, a new guard enters the square through the northern gate and stands in a line in front of the old guard. Her captain, after performing all the ceremonies, hands over the keys to the Palace to the new captain. The old guard goes to the barracks to rest. The Buckingham Palace guards take their positions, and the guards of St. James's Palace go to the place of duty.
A visit to Buckingham Palace is only possible when Her Royal Majesty is not there. This always happens during August and September. At this time, tourists can explore 19 rooms, including a ballroom and an art gallery. A ticket for the excursion will cost only 14 euros. The visit program includes a tour of the richly furnished royal halls and chambers. In the halls, even today, the queen receives top officials of different states; it is also possible to visit the music room, in which royal children are baptized with Jordan water.
In 1837, Buckingham Palace was declared the official royal residence. Queen Victoria ascended the throne at this time. But today the royal person in Great Britain has virtually no power. She is simply a symbol of the state, its representative. But not a single person in England, Scotland or Ireland even imagines that the royal family should sink into oblivion. On the contrary, the queen and her enormous family must exist, sit on the throne, and the population of the country will serve her and pay taxes for the maintenance of the entire clan and palace. When Her Majesty is at Buckingham Castle, the royal flag is flown above it. She stays here ten months of the year, with the exception of August and September. But at any moment the lady can interrupt her vacation and return to Buckingham Palace.
England (Buckingham Palace) is also famous for the stables belonging to the family of monarchs. They are located on the left side of the residence. The premises for them were built in 1825 by the same John Nash. Today you can see strollers, cars, carriages and equipment here. All this is actively used today. The stable contains the Glass Carriage and the main Golden Royal Carriage. Diana and the Prince of Wales rode down the aisle in a glass transport. The stables house approximately 30 horses of different breeds.
When visiting the British capital, be sure to look into the palace, where real kings have lived for centuries.
The history of Buckingham Palace and its very name go back to the 18th century. At that time, the large palace of the Duke of Buckingham was located on this site. According to contemporaries, it was “one of the most beautiful houses in London.” In 1762, King George III of England purchased it for £28,000 from Sir Charles Sheffield, who inherited it on the death of the widowed duchess. Buckingham House was named "The Queen's House" and served as the residence of the king's wife Charlotte and her growing family.
George III modernized and expanded the house: in particular, the facade of the building was simplified and an excellent library was built to house a large collection of valuable books. The king also brought many works of art from other palaces here to decorate the interior of the Queen's House. In addition, he purchased a magnificent collection of paintings, mainly by Italian artists. And leading English artists of the time - Ramsay, Zoffany, Gainsborough, Benjamin West - were invited to paint portraits of royalty.
The palace was officially declared the main residence of British monarchs upon the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne in 1837. During her reign the last major additions were made, the construction of another wing and the removal of the former main entrance, Marble Arch, to its present site near the Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park. In front of the palace gates there is a monument in honor of Queen Victoria.
But Buckingham Palace was made a symbol of the kingdom by Queen Victoria, whose long and peaceful reign lasted 64 years. The palace again underwent a very serious reconstruction, which cost the treasury £640,000. Marble Arch is a triumphal arch standing near the Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, at the western end of Oxford Street in London.
The arch was created in 1828 by the famous architect John Nash, who took the famous triumphal arch of Constantine in Rome as a basis. The arch is built from Carrara marble. It was originally installed on the Mall as the main gate to Buckingham Palace, but was then moved to its current location when a new wing of the palace was built in 1851.
The marble arch stands next to the site of the famous Tyburn Gallows, the site of public executions from 1388 to 1793.
Hyde Park is a royal park with an area of 1.4 km? in the center of London. It is adjoined to the west by Kensington Gardens.
The architecture of Buckingham Palace is rather restrained, while the interior decoration amazes with its luxury and splendor. There are 775 rooms in the palace, but the interiors of the main rooms are, of course, especially chic - the Throne and Ballrooms, the Green Living Room, the State Dining Room and some others. Both the interiors themselves and the priceless works of art located in these rooms are interesting - for example, paintings by Rubens and Rembrandt, as well as fine examples of furniture and a collection of porcelain.
architecture Buquignham Palace residence
The State Apartments, which are intended for official ceremonies, banquets and receptions, are now open to the public. The main rooms are arranged in enfilades, the central one being the Green Living Room. Previously, it was Queen Charlotte's salon, then the hall where delegations gathered before receiving the monarch.
In the Green Drawing Room, visitors can see a collection of beautiful paintings, artistic furniture, and furnishings such as luxurious candelabra, clocks and vases made of Sèvres porcelain. The porcelain items displayed in the State Apartments of the palace are part of a large collection that was collected by King George IV. Currently, this collection is considered the best in the world.
Of particular value (although it is difficult to determine which is more valuable) is the artistic furniture of the living room. In particular, it is here that there is an ebony chest of drawers with gilded bronze and panels inlaid with semi-precious stones (the work of the famous 18th century French furniture maker M. Carlin).
The Green Drawing Room contains perhaps the most excellent things in Buckingham Palace. Among them is a large aromatic bowl in the shape of a ship, the coat of arms of the city of Paris, which in all likelihood belonged to the Marquise de Pompadour. After the Green Living Room comes the Throne Room, through which visitors enter the Picture Gallery - the largest room in Buckingham Palace: its length is almost 50 meters and its width is eight meters. In 1914, the Gallery was completely redecorated, the roof was reconstructed and a new lighting system was introduced - overhead skylights.
The interior of the Gallery was also updated: on four fireplaces made of white marble, bas-reliefs were sculptured - portraits in profile of the great painters of the past - Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Albrecht Durer and Van Dyck.
The Gallery's exhibition, consisting of 44 paintings (as of 1993), is constantly changing. It presents the Flemish and Dutch schools - the works of PL. Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and Hals.
The collection of Dutch paintings is particularly complete, in which Rembrandt's large canvas “Jan Ryxel, the Shipbuilder, and His Wife” stands out. This was the first painting purchased by King George IV. It is significant that this was also one of the earliest paintings by Rembrandt himself. The Gallery exhibits the exquisite and beautiful "Portrait of Agatha Bas" and the painting "Christ and Mary Magdalene" with its superb landscape - later works of the artist.
The Art Gallery and State Rooms of Buckingham Palace house only a portion of the paintings belonging to the British Crown within their walls. The royal collection is also housed in Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Osborne House and Hollyrood House.
This rich collection includes several thousand paintings, and the collection of drawings and engravings by famous artists (including drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael) is unparalleled in the whole world. The part of the Royal Collection that is kept at Buckingham Palace is closed to the general public. You can view the collection (and not all of it) only with special permission or during receptions held at the Palace on behalf of the Queen. Selected representatives of English society, foreign ambassadors and a very limited number of diplomats are invited to attend. Here they can admire the priceless treasures of the Royal Collection.
The emergence of the Royal Collection itself dates back to the 16th century. At that time, in the court museums of emperors and kings, it was customary to collect all kinds of rarities, curiosities, works of applied art, coins and medals. And the paintings were assembled like this - by the way. The English king Henry VIII also had his own small collection - mostly dynastic portraits. But there were other paintings here - on religious subjects.
Already in the first half of the 17th century, the royal collection became the largest treasury in Europe. It owed the increase in its wealth to King Charles I Stuart, who passionately devoted himself to collecting works by Renaissance artists of the 17th century, sparing no expense to acquire them. He had a subtle artistic taste and patronized P.P. Rubens, Van Dyck was invited to the position of court painter.
The Royal Collection, unsurpassed in value and artistic merit, was confiscated by the Parliament of the English Republic after the execution of King Charles I in 1649. Many of her masterpieces (for example, the best paintings by Titian) were sold out and ended up in museums in Madrid, Paris, and Vienna.
After Charles I, the largest collector among the English kings was George IV. Buckingham Palace houses, for example, Rubens's masterpiece "The Farm at Lasquin", which he acquired.
Of course, it is impossible even to list all the treasures of the Royal Collection. But in 1961, next to Buckingham Palace, on the site of the royal chapel destroyed by German bombers during the war, a small public gallery was built - the Queen's Gallery. It is sometimes where exhibitions of works from the royal collection are held.
The State Dining Room of Buckingham Palace, decorated with a number of ceremonial portraits, is also open to visitors. Its long mahogany table can accommodate 600 people at a time. In the center of the dining room, above the fireplace, hangs a huge (almost three meters high) portrait of King George IV in coronation robes. On either side of it are portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte (by A. Ramsay), portraits of Prince Frederick of Wales and Princess Augusta of Wales (by the French artist J.-B. Vanloo, who worked in England in 1737-1742).
The White Drawing Room is the latest to open to the public at Buckingham Palace. The white-golden tone of her interior dominates everywhere: in architectural details, furniture, lamps, objects of decorative and applied art.
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of British monarchs and the largest royal palace in the world. Orders and awards are presented at Buckingham Palace, and official events are held. True, the currently reigning Queen Elizabeth II does not always participate in ceremonies and this duty is usually performed by Crown Prince Charles.
The building amazes with its enormous size and is a symbol of the greatness and inviolability of royal power in England.
If the royal flag is raised above the palace, it means the queen is in her residence. When the Queen is away, the flag of the United Kingdom (known as the Union Jack) flies from the flagpole.
Typically, tourists can visit Buckingham Palace only in August and September, when the Queen is relaxing at her country residence.
Address - Buckingham Palace London SW1A 1 AA.
The palace is only open to visitors when the Queen is away on her summer residence and there are no official events. As a rule, this is only a few summer months. Therefore, if you come to London at this time, do not miss the unique opportunity to see the state rooms.
All tickets include an audio guide (including in Russian).
In the 10th century, King William the Conqueror of England gave the lands on which Buckingham Palace is currently located to the monks of Westminster Abbey.
In the Middle Ages, King Henry VIII, famous for his acquisitiveness, bought these possessions for the royal family, and after about 100 years this territory passed to the Shefield family.
John Shefield, politician and poet, first Duke of Buckingham, built a large country house here, the so-called Buckingham House, in 1703.
However, King Henry III believed that his old residence in St. James's Park had become cramped and therefore in 1751 he bought Buckingham House along with the surrounding lands for himself and his wife Charlotte. From that time on, his estate was called Queen Charlotte's House.
Architects John Nash and Edward Blore built three more buildings similar to Buckingham House over the next 75 years. Together they formed a square, in the middle of which there was a huge courtyard.
Buckingham Palace became the main royal residence in London with the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne in 1837. During her reign, another outbuilding was completed, and the main entrance in the form of the Marble Arch was moved to its current location in Hyde Park near the famous Oratory's Corner.
Initially, the halls were decorated in Georgian style and artificial marble, as well as blue and pink lapis lazuli, were used as decoration.
Great changes were made under Victoria's eldest son, King Edward VII, at the beginning of the 20th century. The main part of the halls was decorated in the French Belle Époque style - in gold and cream tones, and the small reception rooms - in the Chinese style, using furniture from the Royal Palace of Brighton, as well as from Carlton House.
Currently, Buckingham Palace occupies an area of 20 hectares, including 17 hectares of gardens. In total, the building, which can accommodate up to 30,000 guests, has 775 rooms, including:
The building serves about 800 workers, whose tasks are to serve guests and guests, maintain perfect order and prepare the halls for award ceremonies, as well as banquets for rulers and ambassadors.
Buckingham Palace was built using the most expensive materials and therefore the costs of its construction were enormous. Despite this, the building is the largest in the world, there is no clear opinion about its beauty and, as some competent publications write, it is “one of the ugliest buildings in the world.”
The largest room in it is the Ballroom, built in 1853 and first welcoming guests in 1856 to mark the end of the Crimean War.
Until 1993, the palace was closed to tourists, and currently, when the Queen is away - in August and September, access to the public is open to 19 rooms. During the tour, you can learn about the history of the royal residence, visit the royal stables and see works of art, including paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, Van Dyck and other famous artists, as well as a collection of porcelain and furniture.
You can stroll through the palace gardens and admire the magnificent waterfalls and lake, along the shore of which pink flamingos calmly walk, not paying attention to the public or the helicopters that often circle here.
The changing of the guard ceremony of the palace guards is of constant interest to tourists.
On the square in front of the palace there is a colorful changing of the guards of the royal guards, which you can watch for free, the main thing is to take a convenient place for observation.
Buckingham Palace is one of the few working royal residences and an important landmark in London. In addition to Buckingham Palace, the Queen has two more official residences: Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the Queen of England for many years. However, he is known throughout the world not only for this. This place is the central headquarters of the Kingdom's monarchy. Of course, the sights of London are diverse, but it is Buckingham Palace that is the main palace of the country, under whose arches numerous receptions and events of national importance are held.
After ascending the throne, Queen Victoria had no doubt that this particular palace should become her official residence. She was not afraid of the smell of mold hovering in all the rooms, and the fact that she would have to work hard before this place would shine again and again become the pearl of the capital. Great Britain has collected a lot of attractions throughout its history, but there are some places that are unaffected by time and its destructive power.
Serious restoration work had to be carried out, after which the palace came to life again. Back in 1837, Buckingham Palace was named the main royal residence. Even though after the death of her husband the queen moved to Windsor Castle, this place remained the main residence of the monarchs of England.
The traveler will be truly delighted by the furnishings and decoration of the interior chambers of the palace. Furniture and priceless works of art from the time of George IV have been preserved here to this day. The green living room has prepared for visitors an interesting exhibit of Sevres porcelain, which belonged to Napoleon. The art gallery is long, comparable to two tennis courts. Paintings by Rubens and Rembrandt, Canaletto and other great artists are exhibited here.
The formal dining room is presented in extravagant red, and the White Living Room is in gold tones. It is very difficult to find the secret royal door in this room. Even today, the famous Golden Throne Room is used for formal photo shoots. However, there is not much space in the palace for mass entertainment, which is why a huge Ballroom was built. Today it is also used for numerous events.
Among the official royal complexes, it is worth visiting the Tower of London, which is also one of the oldest buildings in the entire country.
Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the Queen of England for many years. However, he is known throughout the world not only for this. This place is the central headquarters of the Kingdom's monarchy. Of course, the sights of London are diverse, but it is Buckingham Palace that is the main palace of the country, under whose arches numerous receptions and events are held..." />
