The world’s royal residences are filled with both historical grandeur and unique design choices that often reveal much about the personalities, preferences, and even the eccentricities of the royals who live(d) there. Here are some of the strangest royal homes around the world and the fascinating secrets behind them:
1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
- Location: Bavaria, Germany
- Built By: King Ludwig II of Bavaria
- Highlights: A fairy-tale castle perched high in the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein Castle was intended as a personal refuge for the shy and reclusive King Ludwig II. Often called the “Mad King,” Ludwig designed the castle as an homage to composer Richard Wagner, with interiors decorated in themes from Wagner’s operas. The castle has secret doors, hidden passages, and opulent rooms inspired by myth and legend, showcasing Ludwig’s love for medieval romanticism
-
- Fun Fact: It served as inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle!
2. Holyrood Palace, Scotland
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Built For: The Scottish monarchy, currently a royal residence for Queen Elizabeth II
- Highlights: Holyrood is known for its opulent, historic rooms, yet it’s also haunted by a tragic tale. The palace was the site of the murder of David Rizzio, Mary, Queen of Scots’ private secretary, in 1566. His bloodstains are said to remain on the floorboards of the room where he was killed, and many believe his spirit still lingers.
- Secret Passage: Holyrood Palace has hidden passageways, with one leading directly to Mary’s bedroom, adding to the mystery and intrigue.
-
El Escorial, Spain
- Location: San Lorenzo de El Escorial, near Madrid, Spain
- Built By: King Philip II of Spain
- Highlights: Built as a combination palace, monastery, and mausoleum, El Escorial reflects King Philip II’s austere and devout personality. Its severe, fortress-like exterior contrasts with the ornate interiors, and it’s filled with art and priceless artifacts. Philip II had his bedroom built so he could see the altar from his bed, allowing him to worship even when he was ill.
- Fun Fact: There is a network of crypts beneath the building where many Spanish kings and queens are buried, making it a resting place for royalty.
-
4. Peterhof Palace, Russia
- Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
- Built By: Peter the Great
- Highlights: Known as the “Russian Versailles,” Peterhof is famous for its extensive gardens and playful fountains, including a trick fountain that Peter the Great used to spray unsuspecting guests! The Grand Cascade is the palace’s main fountain feature, adorned with golden statues, and it’s engineered to operate without pumps, powered by gravity and natural water flow.
- Fun Fact: The palace has a special bathhouse where guests could relax and take steam baths — something Peter the Great was known to enjoy.
-
5. The Forbidden City, China
- Location: Beijing, China
- Built For: The emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties
- Highlights: This sprawling complex was designed for the utmost privacy and security, filled with symbolic elements such as animals and colors that represent good fortune. The emperor’s living quarters are surprisingly modest compared to the rest of the complex. The city has 9,999 rooms — as 10,000 was considered divine and reserved for the gods. Secret rooms, passages, and spaces filled with artifacts were only accessible to a select few.
- Fun Fact: It’s said that eunuchs and concubines lived secretive and often tragic lives within these walls, adding to its mystique.
-
Mysore Palace, India
- Location: Mysore, Karnataka, India
- Built For: The Wodeyar dynasty
- Highlights: Known for its Indo-Saracenic architecture, Mysore Palace is opulent and colorful, with secret tunnels rumored to lead to various city sites. Its design combines Hindu, Mughal, and Gothic styles, resulting in a uniquely vibrant royal home.
- Fun Fact: The palace lights up with nearly 100,000 light bulbs during festivals, creating a magical effect that attracts thousands of visitors.
-
Schönbrunn Palace, Austria
- Location: Vienna, Austria
- Built For: The Habsburgs
- Highlights: Known as a summer residence for the Habsburg family, Schönbrunn has a series of tunnels and hidden chambers, as well as a “mirrored room” where Mozart once performed. The palace gardens contain a maze and a unique zoo, said to be the oldest still-existing zoo in the world.
- Fun Fact: Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) had secret exercise routines and would practice fencing, horseback riding, and even gymnastics privately, defying royal expectations of the time.
-
Palácio da Pena, Portugal
- Location: Sintra, Portugal
- Built By: Ferdinand II
- Highlights: Known for its vibrant colors and eclectic Romantic style, Palácio da Pena stands out as one of the most unique royal palaces in Europe. Its whimsical architectural design combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish styles, reflecting Ferdinand II’s artistic tastes.
- Fun Fact: The palace has secret rooms hidden behind false walls, which Ferdinand used as retreats from public life.
- From eerie hauntings to hidden passages, these royal homes reveal secrets that paint vivid pictures of the royals who lived there, adding layers of mystique to these architectural wonders.