What is palace?

What Does palace Mean

A palace is a construction designed to function as the dwelling of a king , a ruler or a person of great wealth. These are usually very luxurious buildings, with a large number of rooms, gardens and other facilities.

For example: "The emperor ordered the construction of a palace in each colony to stay on his travels" , "The Palacio Paz is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city of Buenos Aires" , "The Japanese embassy works in an 18th century palace ” .
Although, originally, the palaces served almost exclusively as residences for kings and nobles , over time they began to acquire new functionalities. Thus, the palaces were also used as a museum or seat of government , to name two possibilities.

There are countless palaces around the world that are admired for their architectural beauty or for their historical significance. Let's see some of them below:
Buckingham Palace
It is located in London , England , where the royal family has resided since 1837 and various official activities are carried out. Its construction took place in 1703, initially for the Duke of Buckinghames and six decades later for King George III. During the two World Wars, the palace managed to remain standing despite the bombardments. Annually, it attracts millions of tourists from around the world, along with other iconic landmarks in the UK capital.
Palace of Versailles
It is one of the most famous buildings in France and shares great worldwide fame with Buckingham Palace. Its construction was carried out in the seventeenth century , at the request of Louis XIV, who also demanded more than 800 hectares of beautiful gardens, highly appreciated and located among the most beautiful on the planet. The artistic wealth of the Palace of Versailles is incalculable; this is especially noticeable in the royal apartments and in the chapel. Also not to be overlooked is its Gallery of Mirrors , with 375 mirrors scattered across 73 meters, the site where the famous treaty that ended the First World War was signed. Now part of the World Heritage of UNESCO.
Doge's Palace in Venice
This Italian palace is another of the most beautiful and important buildings in the world. It is located in Saint Mark's Square and houses multiple works of art . It is considered a symbol of the power and glory of the beautiful city of Venice. Throughout its history, it has been the residence of the doges (the supreme magistrate), a prison of the Republic and the seat of government.

The Alhambra
It is located in the Spanish city of Granada and it is a palace in which the Nasrid sultans and high officials, elite soldiers and court servants lived between the 13th and 14th centuries. The Alhambra is the most visited Spanish monument; reservations are usually made several months in advance. In addition to its privileged geographical location, this palace boasts beautiful gardens , marvelous architecture and a large number of fountains and patios, among which the Patio de los Leones stands out . In 1984, it was declared a World Heritage Site.
Peterhof Palace
This imposing palace is also known by the name of Petrodvorets and is located on the Gulf of Finland, less than 30 km from Saint Petersburg, Russia. Its construction was ordered by Peter the Great at the beginning of the 18th century. In addition to its luxurious and imposing architecture , its gardens are noteworthy, in which its many fountains dazzle.
As surname
Finally, Palacio is a very frequent surname in our language shared by personalities such as the Argentine soccer player Rodrigo Palacio , the Peruvian singer Ernesto Palacio and the American-Belizean basketball player Milt Palacio .