The Most Imposing Head of State Residences in the World

Head of state residences as the name suggests are buildings that house nation’s head of state, be it a king, a queen, governor, president, sultan, head of government or any other senior figure. The impressive residences are often an integral part of a country’s history and culture. Here are some of the most imposing head of state residences in the world.

Palácio do Planalto (Brazil)

palacio-do-planalto-brazil

Image Source : Rackcdn.Com

Located in the national capital of Brasília, the Palácio do Planalto is the official workplace of the President of Brazil. Inaugurated on April 21, 1960, the building is a design of architect Oscar Niemeyer. Besides the President, Vice President and the Chief of Staff, and other ministries also have offices in the Planalto. The four stories high palace spread over an area of 36,000 m² was built with an idea to project an image of simplicity and modernity. Fine lines and waves that have been used to compose the exterior structure look wonderful.

The Drottningholm Palace

the-drottningholm-palace

Image Source : Kungahuset.Se

Located inDrottningholm, Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish royal family. It is one of the Sweden’s Royal Palaces built on the island Lovön. Originally built in the late 16th century, the palace for most of the 18th century served as a regular summer residence of the Swedish royal court. In addition to being the private residence of the Swedish royal family, Drottningholm Palace is a popular tourist attraction. With its perfectly preserved theatre (built in 1766), Chinese pavilion and gardens, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stockholm Palace

stockholm-palace

Image Source : Tunliweb.No

Stockholm Palace was completed in the year 1960 and is the major royal palace and the official residence of the Swedish King. This 750 feet long and 125 meters 410 feet wide palace situated in Sweden has 1,430 rooms, of which 660 have windows. The Royal Palace is owned by The Swedish State through the National Property Board of Sweden. It is responsible for running and maintaining the palace, while the Office of the Governor of the Royal Palaces manages the royal right of disposition of the palace. The impressive Stockholm Palace is one of the largest official residences in the world.

Royal Palace of Madrid

royal-palace-of-madrid

Image Source : Historvius.Com

Constructed on the site of a 9th-century fortress, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. It is the largest palace in Europe with a floor area of 135,000 square meters (1,450,000 sq mi). The palace is only used for state ceremonies, as King Felipe VI and the Royal Family do not reside in it. In fact, they reside in a modest palace named Palacio de la Zarzuela.

The Presidential Palace of Vietnam

the-presidential-palace-of-vietnam

Image Source : AsianRanking.Com

Built between 1900 and 1906 to house the French Governor-General of Indochina, The Presidential Palace of Vietnamis located in the city of Hanoi. Today, it is used as a place to host government meetings. The official French architect for Vietnam, Auguste Henri Vildieu, constructed it. Just like other pieces of the French colonial architecture, the palace appears downright European, with only mango trees growing on the grounds hinting that it is located in Vietnam.

Tokyo Imperial Palace

tokyo-imperial-palace

Image Source : Japan365Days.Com

The present day main residence of the Emperor of Japan, The Imperial Palace in Tokyo is a large park-like area located in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo. Built on old Edo Castle’s site, the total area of the palace is 3.41 square kilometers (1.32 sq mi), which includes the gardens as well. The other buildings that are a part of the palace include an archive, the private residences of the Imperial Family, museums and administrative offices. Tokyo Imperial Palace remains closed to the general public, except on January 2 and December 23, when the imperial family makes a public appearance.

Today's Top Articles:
Scroll to Top