Humayun's Tomb, Delhi

Humayun's tomb was one of the buildings that served as inspiration for the Taj Mahal

Humayun's Tomb

This postcard was sent by Claus

Humayun's tomb is the tomb of the Mughal EmperorHumayun in Delhi, India. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum (also known as Haji Begum), in 1569-70, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a Persian architect chosen by her. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, and is located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, India, close to the Dina-panah Citadel, also known as Purana Qila (Old Fort), that Humayun founded in 1533. 

The complex encompasses the main tomb of the Emperor Humayun, which houses the graves of Bega Begum herself, Hamida Begum, and also Dara Shikoh, great-great-grandson of Humayun and son of the later Emperor Shah Jahan, as well as numerous other subsequent Mughals, including Emperor Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Rafi Ul-Darjat, Rafi Ud-Daulat, Muhammad Kam Bakhsh and Alamgir II. - in: wikipedia

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is the main landmark of India and one of the most well known buildings of the world

Taj Mahal

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The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–1658), to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall.

Taj Mahal

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Construction of the mausoleum was essentially completed in 1643 but work continued on other phases of the project for another 10 years. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653 at a cost estimated at the time to be around 32 million rupees, which in 2015 would be approximately 52.8 billion rupees (US$827 million). The construction project employed some 20,000 artisans under the guidance of a board of architects led by the court architect to the emperor, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. - in: wikipedia

Red Fort Complex

It is in the Red Fort that the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag every year on India's Independence Day and delivers a nationally-broadcast speech from its ramparts.

Red Fort

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The Red Fort is a historical fort in the city of Delhi in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It is located in the center of Delhi and houses a number of museums. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political centre of the Mughal state and the setting for events critically impacting the region.

Constructed in 1639 by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the palace of his fortified capital Shahjahanabad, the Red Fort is named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone and is adjacent to the older Salimgarh Fort, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546. The imperial apartments consist of a row of pavilions, connected by a water channel known as the Stream of Paradise (Nahr-i-Bihisht). - in: wikipedia

Agra Fort

This is one of the finest forts in India

Agra Fort

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Agra Fort is a historical fort in the city of Agra in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, when Mughal capital was shifted from Agra to Red Fort in Delhi. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city. - in: wikipedia

Changdeokgung Palace Complex

The buildings of Changdeokgung complex blend with the natural topography of the site instead of imposing themselves upon it.

Changdeokgung Injeongjeon Hall

This postcard was sent from Taiwan by Chang

Injeongjeon Hall is the main hall at Changdeokgung Palace. It was used by the king and officials for conferences and as a meeting point with visitors. Foreign envoys would meet the king at this location when they arrived at the palace.

Originally built in 1405, it was twice destroyed by fire, once in 1592 and again in 1804. Both times it was rebuilt.

The royal walkway and courtyard, dating back to 1609, can be seen in front of the hall.

The area surrounding the courtyard was used for storage and for royal guards as they protected the king and the residence. - in: http://www.theseoulguide.com/sights/palaces/changdeokgung-palace/injeongjeon-hall-and-injeongmun-gate/

Seonjeongjeon Hall

This postcard arrived from Indonesia sent by Jennifer

Seonjeongjeon Hall is where the king would meet with high ranking officials at Changdeokgung Palace to discuss political, state, and palace affairs. At his convenience, the king and his officials would hold seminars and have morning meetings. He would discuss royal issues and other national affairs.

The colonnaded area which surrounds the building was used for storage and for secretary offices. A narrow corridor leads to Seonjeongmun Gate. This corridor was used during royal funerals when Seonjeongjeon Hall served as a royal shrine. This corridor is the only remaining evidence of its function during funerals.

The roof of the structure is the only existing blue tiled palace roof. - in: http://www.theseoulguide.com/sights/palaces/changdeokgung-palace/seonjeongjeon-hall-and-seonjeongmun-gate/

Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli

I was once in Genoa but unfortunately I didn't see any of the 42 palaces of this site. All I remember is the chaotic traffic

Garibaldi Street and Rolli Palaces

 

This postcard was sent by Eduardo

Via Garibaldi is street of the historical centre of Genoa, northern Italy, well known for its ancient palaces.

The street dates back to the year 1550. Originally named as Strada Maggiore, then Strada Nuova, only in 1882 its name was dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi.

The Palazzi dei Rolli is a group of palaces in Genoa, northern Italy.

The rolli or rolls were created in 1576, open to the aristocratic Senate refounded by Prince (and Admiral) Andrea Doria, which through his constitutional reform introduced oligarchic rule and the subsequent insertion into the Genoese sovereignty of Spain. - in: wikipedia

Royal Palace of Genoa

The Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) or Palazzo Stefano Balbi is a major palace in Genoa.

Construction of the present structure began in 1618 for the Balbi family. From 1643-1655, work renewed under the direction of the architects Pier Francesco Cantone and Michele Moncino. In 1677, the palace was sold to the Durazzo Family, who enlarged the palace under the designs of Carlo Fontana.

In 1823, the palace was sold to the Royal House of Savoy. From 1919, the palace has belonged to the state. - in: wikipedia

Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and Residence Square

This is one of the largest and most beautiful palaces in Germany and it's surrounded by wonderful gardens

Würzburg Residence

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The Würzburg Residence is a palace in Würzburg, Germany. Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt and Maximilian von Welsch, representatives of the Austrian/South German Baroque style, were involved in the construction, as well as Robert de Cotte and Germain Boffrand, who were followers of the French Style. Balthasar Neumann, court architect of the Bishop of Würzburg, was the principal architect of the Residence, which was commissioned by the Prince-Bishop of Würzburg Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn and his brother Friedrich Carl von Schönborn in 1720, and completed in 1744. The Venetian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, assisted by his son, Domenico, painted frescoes in the building.

Interiors considered masterworks of Baroque/Rococo or Neoclassical architecture and art include the grand staircase, the chapel, and the Imperial Hall. - in: wikipedia