Sunday, July 12, 2009

Versailles







Today we toured Versailles, the beautiful palace of King Louis XIV. Known as the Sun King, he liked to have everything decorated. Thus, wherever you look at Versailles, from the ceilings to the walls to the doors, etc., all is covered in gold, detailed carvings, magnificent paintings, etc. This must be one of the most ornate palaces in Europe. The most amazing room of all is the Hall of Mirrors, which has windows on one side overlooking the beautiful gardens and matching mirrors on the other. In the middle are chandeliers to reflect the light of thousands of candles. We also saw the royal bedrooms, complete with splended tapestries. It is a wonder the royal family didn't get lost with so many rooms to explore. King Ludwig of Bavaria patterned a room in his palace at Linderhoff after the Hall of Mirrors, and his plan was to make it the German version of Versailles. Both palaces are beautifully ornate, and both are surrounded by luxurious gardens, but the German palace is dwarfed by the size of Versailles.


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