When visiting the sights of France, is it possible to bypass the Chambord castle ?! This magnificent palace, which was visited by noble people, today can be visited during excursions. An experienced guide will tell you about the history of the building, the features of the architecture, and will also share legends passing from mouth to mouth.
Basic information about the Chambord castle
Chambord Castle is one of the architectural structures of the Loire. Many will be interested in where the residence of the kings is, as it is often visited during their stay in France. The fastest way to get here is from Blois, covering a distance of 14 kilometers. The castle is located by the Bevron River. The exact address was not given, as the building stands alone in a park area, far from urban areas. However, it is impossible to lose sight of it, since it is quite massive.
In the Renaissance, palaces were built on a grand scale, so the structure can surprise with its characteristics:
- length - 156 meters;
- width - 117 meters;
- capitals with sculptures - 800;
- premises - 426;
- fireplaces - 282;
- stairs - 77.
It is impossible to visit all the rooms of the castle, but the main architectural beauty will be shown in full. In addition, the main staircase with its amazing spiral design is very popular.
We recommend seeing the Beaumaris Castle.
Special attention should be paid to walks in the forest-type valley. It is the largest fenced park in Europe. About 1000 hectares are available for visitors, where you can not only relax in the open air, but also get acquainted with the flora and fauna of these places.
Interesting facts from history
The construction of the Chambord castle began in 1519 at the initiative of King Francis I of France, who wished to settle close to his beloved Countess of Turi. It took 28 years for this palace to play with its charm to the fullest, although its owner had already visited the halls and met guests there before the construction was completed.
The work on the castle was not easy, as it began to be built in a swampy area. In this regard, it was necessary to pay more attention to the base. Oak piles were sunk deep into the soil, at a distance of 12 meters. More than two hundred thousand tons of stone was brought to the Bevron River, where 1,800 workers worked day after day on the exquisite forms of one of the largest palaces of the Renaissance.
Despite the fact that Chambord castle enchants with its grandeur, Francis I rarely visited it. After his death, the residence lost its popularity. Later, Louis XIII presented the palace to his brother, the Duke of Orleans. From this period the French elite began to come here. Even Molière has staged his premieres more than once at the Chambord castle.
Since the beginning of the 18th century, the palace has often become a haven for army forces during various wars. Many architectural beauties were spoiled, interior items were sold out, but in the middle of the 20th century, the castle became a tourist attraction, which began to be monitored with greater care. Chambord Palace became part of the World Heritage Site in 1981.
Renaissance architectural grandeur
No description will convey the true beauty that can be seen walking inside the castle or in its surroundings. Its symmetrical design with many capitals and sculptures makes it fabulously majestic. No one can say with certainty who the idea of the general appearance of the Chambord castle belongs to, but according to rumors, Leonardo da Vinci himself worked on its design. This is confirmed by the main staircase.
Many tourists dream of taking a photo on a graceful spiral staircase that spins and intertwines in such a way that people who climb and descend on it do not meet each other. The complex design is made according to all the laws described by da Vinci in his works. In addition, everyone knows how often he used spirals in his creations.
And although the exterior of the castle of Chambord does not seem surprising, in the pictures with plans you can see that the main zone consists of four square and four circular halls, which represent the center of the structure around which symmetry is formed. During excursions, this nuance must be mentioned, because it is an architectural feature of the palace.
