7 of the Biggest Palaces Ever Built

Over the millennia, human society has evolved time and time again into hierarchical structures. Those at the top have always sought to impress others with their wealth and prestige. This dynamic has led to rulers building huge and ostentatious residences for themselves to prove their power over the people they rule.

As society developed, so too did building techniques. Palaces got bigger and more complex, proving the power of their owners but also proving the inequality that existed within their society.

Here are 7 of the world’s biggest palaces ever to be built.

Beginning its long history at the end of the twelfth century in Paris, the Louvre began as a defensive structure and served as a residence for nobility for hundreds of years. In 1793, the Louvre Museum (originally the Muséum central des Arts de la République) was opened and has served as a hub of French art and culture ever since. It currently attracts an average of 30,000 visitors every day—that’s a staggering 10 million people every year!

Built over the course of centuries, the Louvre Palace presents many different architectural styles and has been growing in size to the point where it is now considered the biggest palace ever built. With a floor area of 2,615,630 square feet (243,000 square meters), it claims to be the biggest palace in the world in terms of a contiguous building.

The Louvre is also the world’s largest museum, housing 330,000 pieces of art spread out over 731,945 square feet (80,000 square meters).

Taking center stage at the Louvre entrance is the Louvre Pyramid, which finished construction in 1989. This structure has become an iconic landmark in Paris along the same lines as the Eiffel Tower.

2. The Forbidden City

Although the Forbidden City’s buildings can’t compete in size with the largest palaces in the world, it is a worthy contender for the world’s biggest palace because it represents the world’s biggest enclosed palace complex.

Sitting in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City served as the seat of the Chinese emperors from its construction in the early 15th century until the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912, with the abdication of the last emperor, Puyi.

The Forbidden City is monumentally large, with an area of 7,836,126 square feet or 180 acres (728,000 square meters). Nine hundred eighty buildings survive, containing a total of 8,886 rooms. The original total was 9,999 and a half rooms; the half was out of respect for the ancient Chinese god Yù Huáng, who was believed to have had 10,000 rooms in his palace.

Today, the Forbidden City is listed by UNESCO as the single largest collection of wooden structures in the world, and with an estimated value of US $70 billion, it is also the most valuable piece of real estate anywhere on the planet.

The largest palace complex, far larger than the Forbidden City, was built around 200 BCE. Emperor Gaozu of Han ordered its construction, which was supervised by his prime minister, Xiao He.

At a staggering 52,272,000 square feet or 1,200 acres, it was almost seven times larger than the Forbidden City and 11 times larger than the Vatican.

Sadly, the Weiyang Palace Complex was razed in the early 7th century by marauders en route to the Tang capital of Chang’an.

Located in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, there is very little left of what must have been an incredible sight to travelers on the Silk Road. The site was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

4. Domus Aurea

In the center of ancient Rome, after a fire had blazed through the city in 64 CE, Emperor Nero had a vast villa complex built for himself, which covered large parts of the Palatine, Oppian, and Caelian hills.

The Domus Aurea, or “Golden House,” was a symbolic gesture of decadence and extreme opulence for which Nero was known. He spared no expense and thought little of the psychological impact that his reign had on his fellow citizens of Rome.

From the structures on the Palatinum to the edge of Horti Maecenatis, the complex is thought to have been almost one mile from side to side. It is, however, difficult to estimate the actual size of the complex. Nero died in 68 CE just before it was finished, and the structures were so garish and opulent that they were an embarrassment to the succeeding Roman administration. Much of the complex was stripped and dismantled.

Archaeologists and historians have put forth various estimates of the size of the complex, with some going as high as 300 acres, while more conservative guesses put it at no more than 100 acres.

Nevertheless, even unfinished, it would have been an impressive sight, with huge halls, colossal statues, various temples, and even an artificial lake.

Now serving as the workplace and home of Vienna’s president, the Hofburg Palace has been the residence of the monarchs of Austria since it was built in the 13th century. Over the centuries, it was expanded until it reached its current size of 2,583,339 square feet (240,000 square meters).

Famously serving the Habsburgs as their official winter residence, Hofburg Palace is an impressive set of buildings that display an abundance of architectural styles, including Baroque, neo-Baroque, gothic, and rococo. The palace has 18 wings or sets of buildings containing 2,600 rooms and 19 courtyards.

Today, the palace serves many functions. It houses many collections and museums, as well as the Imperial Chapel, where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs every Sunday. The Weltmuseum is an ethnographic museum that displays collections detailing non-European peoples and cultures, while the Sisi Museum, dedicated to Empress Elisabeth, displays the life of the Viennese aristocracy.

Also housed in the Hofburg Palace are the Austrian National Library and the Spanish Riding School.

6. The Winter Palace

The Winter Palace is an iconic part of Russian history, located on the shores of the Neva River, which runs through Saint Petersburg.

Primarily known as the seat of the Romanov Dynasty for almost 200 years, the palace was the scene of major developments after the Romanovs were deposed. A provisional government was set up under the leadership of Aleksander Kerensky, but it failed to stem the tide of Bolshevik passion. In 1917, the Winter Palace was stormed, and the ministers were arrested. As such, the Winter Palace can be considered the birthplace of the Soviet State.

Almost the same size as the Louvre and Hofburg, the Winter Palace covers 2,511,705 square feet (233,345 square meters) and has 1,500 rooms. Combining styles of Elizabethan and Russian Baroque, the palace was designed to reflect the grandeur of the French style.

Today, the palace is home to the Hermitage Museum, a premier site of Russian art and culture.

A modern marvel, the Istana Nurul Iman serves as the residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III, and as the seat of government. The Palace of Light and Faith was designed by Filipino architect Leandro V. Locsin, and its architectural style reflects Islamic and Malay culture.

At 2,152,782 square feet (200,000 square meters), Istana Nurul Iman is certainly one of the largest palaces ever built. It contains 1,788 rooms, a banquet hall that can accommodate 5,000 guests, five swimming pools, and a mosque that can accommodate 1,500 people.

Of particular note are the 110 garages that house the sultan’s collection of 7,000 cars, valued at around US $5 billion.

The palace is a private residence and is not open to the public except at the end of Ramadan. During the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, at the end of this fasting period, the palace receives around 110,000 visitors over a period of three days. The palace is also open to the public during ten of the 29/30 days of Ramadan to Muslims for prayer gatherings.

For whatever reason they are built, palaces are designed to reflect supreme grandeur. From the depths of history to the mansions of the present day, their owners try to display wealth and prestige by building the most impressive houses.

While the definition of a palace may be tricky, palatial buildings in the future will surely continue the trend of the powerful elite building huge homes for themselves to promote their wealth and status.