12 Most Beautiful Presidential Palaces in the World
Sucheta Pradhan
A presidential palace is official residence and/or workplace of the country’s President. It is not just the seat of the nation’s supreme authority, but also the center of power. Know about the 12 most beautiful presidential palaces around the world!
Presidential Palace, Warsaw, Poland
This neoclassical edifice was built in 1818, and since 1994, it is the official seat of the President of the Republic of Poland. This is not open to public for security reasons.
Equestrian statue of the Polish general, Józef Poniatowski, adorns the beautiful front yard of the building. There are also four lion statues, which seem to guard the building and its inhabitants.
Palácio da Alvorada, Brasília, Brazil
Sitting on a peninsula on the shores of Paranoá Lake, this modernist building was erected between 1957 and 1958, to serve as official residence of Brazil’s President.
A National Historic Heritage Site, it was designed by famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. Interestingly, this was the first government building to be ever constructed in Brasília.
Élysée Palace, Paris, France
The official residence of the President of the French Republic since 1848, Élysée Palace boasts a total area of 11,000sq.ft. and 369 rooms, making it one of the world's biggest presidential palaces.
Flaunting the stunning French Classical architecture, the complex is full of enchanting courtyards and gardens with patterned flowerbeds and chestnut-lined alleys.
Presidential Palace, Hanoi, Vietnam
Called Phủ Chủ tịch in Vietnamese, this beautiful yellow-colored structure with wrought iron gates was built between 1900 and 1906 as the residence of the French Governor-General of Indochina.
The building has been the official residence of the President of Vietnam since 1954. Although the building itself is not open to public, the gardens surrounding it are accessible to visitors.
Grand Kremlin Palace, Moscow, Russia
Built between 1837 and 1849 as per the designs of the Russian architect Konstantin Thon, the Grand Kremlin Palace was initially the official residence of the Tsar.
Currently the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation, it is a heavily fortified complex in the heart of Moscow standing on a whomping 68 acres of land.
White House, Washington, D.C., USA
Official residence of the sitting President of USA since 1800, the White House boasts as many as 132 rooms, 35 baths, and some of the most advanced technologies of the world.
This six-storied edifice with all-white façade was originally designed by architect James Hoban. Particularly worth seeing are its grounds will well-manicured gardens and fountains.
The Hofburg, Vienna, Austria
Serving as the official residence and workplace of the Austrian Federal President since 1946, the Hofburg Imperial Palace also houses the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Boasting its marvelous Baroque architectural style, it was also once the official seat of the kings of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. Some parts of the palace are open to public as a convention center.
Grassalkovich Palace, Bratislava, Slovakia
Originally built in 1760 as the residence for the Hungarian aristocrat, Antal Grassalkovich, this palace is now the official residence of the President of Slovakia.
The structure has been built in the Rococo-late Baroque style and comprises multiple rooms, a grand staircase, and a chapel adorned with Joseph von Pichler’s frescoes.
Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, India
The official residence of the sitting President of the Republic of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan is grandeur redefined. Viceroy's House during British India, the complex sits on the stunning 320 acres of land.
Apart from 340-room main building, the complex also includes mesmerizing gardens, large open spaces, stables, reception halls, staff quarters, and more.
Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic
Boasting a subtle blend of Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles, the Prague Castle is the official seat of the President of the Czech Republic.
Dating back to the ninth century, it is the world’s largest castle complex that has also been a seat of power for Bohemian kings, rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, and presidents of Czechoslovakia.
Bellevue Palace, Berlin, Germany
Official residence of the German President since 1994, the Bellevue Palace sits on the banks on the Spree River. Built in 1786, it was originally the residence of Prince Augustus Ferdinand of Prussia.
The palace gained worldwide fame in 1945 when Berlin citizens buried statues of their historical military heroes in its grounds. These statues were recovered in 1993.
Ak Orda Presidential Palace, Astana, Kazakhstan
Designed and executed by architects, designers, engineers, and builders from 10 countries, the Ak Orda Presidential Palace was officially inaugurated in 2004. It sits on the left bank of Ishim River.
The most prominent element of this building is its blue and golden dome that is topped with a spire. The palace houses the president’s official workplace and residences of presidential staff.
One of the most important rewards of being a nation’s President is the mansion he/she gets to live in and work. More importantly, these grand edifices are also parts of national identities of countries.