Stunning royal palaces

Imperial Palace, Tokyo
The current Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.





Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
Situated between the Palace Embankment and the Palace Square, the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg the official residence of the Russian monarchs from 1732 to 1917. It was built on a monumental scale to reflect the might and power of Imperial Russia.





Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey
High on a hill, overlooking the Bosphoros, Topkapi Palace was the favoured residence for Ottoman sultans for over 400 years. In it’s heyday it housed over 4,000 people and contained mosques, a hospital, bakeries, and a mint.





Buckingham Palace, London, UK
Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty The Queen. It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today. The palace is 108 metres long across the front, 120 metres deep and 24 metres high and has 775 rooms, including 19 State rooms.





Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
Smack bang in the heart of the Thai capital, on the banks of the murky Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace in Bangkok has been has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. Built in classic Thai style of spires and colourful roof tiles, the complex is also home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the residence of Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist sculpture.





Alhambra, Andalusia, Spain
Perched on top of al-Sabika, on the left bank of the river Darro, the Alhambra is a gem of Moorish culture, a place where fountains trickle, leaves rustle, and ancient poems are writ in stone. Taking its name from the Arabic, al-qala’a al-hamra (the Red Castle), the part fort, part palace sits above Granada, a refuge from the concerns of the city below.


From: http://www.msn.com/