In order to understand the Palace at Versailles, one should be aware of the Architectural Analysis, the History of the Chateau, the Main Palace Buildings and Rooms, and the purpose of the Palace of Versailles. The Palace of Versailles is located at Versailles, France, and was built in 1631 in the order of Louis XIII. It has served as the royal palace and numerous other purposes. It now serves as a museum of French history. It has earned the name “Chateau” which in French means, “Castle”. When the Chateau was first constructed in 1623, it was constructed as a hunting lodge made of brick, stone, and slate (3-1 Internet 3). When the New Chateau was constructed around 1631 and it was decorated in the Baroque style. The style expressed the power and authority of the head of state. Baroque architecture combined in new ways as classical and renaissance elements as columns, arches, and capitals. Sweeping curved areas replace orderly rectangular areas and sculpture and painting played a greater part in building design, helping create an illusion of great space. Interest in the relationship between buildings and their surroundings led to a greater emphasis on city planning and landscape design. This emphasis was used greatly in the construction of the palace at Versailles. Baroque buildings in Austria, Spain, and Latin America were especially ornate and elaborate. The baroque architecture in France was more classical and ordered (pg 85, World Book Encyclopedia). A wonderful example of French Baroque Architecture can be found at the palace of Versailles.The Chateau of Versailles is very rich in history. The land that was selected for the estate was hand picked by no other than the King. The King had a strong passion for hunting and the surrounding woods gave the King a superb place to hunt and practice falconry (Internet 2). The King hated the city of Paris all together. He hated the way it smelled, he hated t...
