(majestic classical music) - [Narrator] Temples and tombs, and castles and cathedrals stand proud in the world's greatest landscape.

But the grandest of architectural dreams are realised in the making of an opulent palace.

(majestic classical music) Built more for status than security, they have graced society for centuries, providing erstwhile homes for the rich and the famous, the dissolute and the infamous.

(majestic classical music) Indulging the giltiest of pleasures, this historic, iconic set of wonders, brings new meaning to the notion of luxury.

(majestic classical music) (dramatic orchestral music) (triumphant classical music) Lived in by royalty, heads of state and church, palaces are designed to be lavish, to blatantly flaunt the wealth of their well-heeled residents.

(triumphant classical music) But arguably, the most iconic palace on the planet is also, comparatively, one of the more modest.

(people murmuring) (majestic classical music) Smack-bang in the heart of London, England, is one of the principal residences of the British Royal Family.

(majestic classical music) Buckingham Palace.

(majestic classical music) (majestic classical music) Built in 1703, Buckingham Palace presents more like a small town than a private home.

(majestic classical music) There are 775 rooms inside the palace, 240 royal, guest and staff bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, and 19 opulent state rooms, which are open to the public when the Queen is not in residence.

(majestic classical music) (majestic classical music) Banquets, by invitation only, are held in the largest room in the palace, the 18-meter-wide by 36.6-meter-long ballroom.

(majestic classical music) Setting the table for a state dinner can take up to five days, utilising a selection of items drawn from the 4,000-piece silver-gilt Grand Service that's been in the family since George IV started the collection in the early 1800s.

(majestic classical music) It includes everything, from egg-cups to ice pails, 140 serving dishes, 288 dinner plates and a mind-boggling array of silverware that would challenge even those well-versed in the language of cutlery.

(bell tolling) One enduring tradition at Buckingham Palace that's guaranteed to turn even the saddest crown upside down, is the changing of the guard.

(cheerful military band music) Witnessed by millions every year, the ceremony is as iconic as the palace itself, and just as indelibly linked to the British monarchy dating back to the reign of King Henry VII in the 15th century.

(cheerful military band music) Originally held at Whitehall Palace, the convention made its way to Buckingham Palace when Queen Victoria made it her court in 1837.

(cheerful military band music) The ceremony has evolved over the years, as have the costumes worn by participating sentries.

The uniforms, which vary subtly, depending on the officer's station, are the same as those worn by soldiers on active duty several centuries ago.

(cheerful military band music) Rumour has it that bright red was chosen for their battle-dress since it hid unsightly bloodstains that were not good for company morale.

(cheerful military band music) But the real reason is far more pragmatic: the dye was readily available and cheap.

(cheerful military band music) The bearskin hats, introduced in the 18th century, are likely to be replaced in the near future with caps made from synthetic fur.

As more and more people shun the use of animal pelts in fashion, the last thing the Royal Family needs is to fall out of step with the times.

(man shouting orders) Ever conscious of maintaining their relevance and appeal, the full military band that performs at every ceremony now plays a mix of traditional marches, show tunes and pop songs, which fans can readily download on Spotify.

(crowd applauding) (crowd cheering) (triumphant orchestral music) A second highly-anticipated convention that takes place at Buckingham Palace on the occasion of major anniversaries and events, is the royal balcony appearance.

Queen Victoria was the first monarch to initiate the practise, greeting her subjects from this elevated post on several occasions, but most significantly in 1858, on the day of her daughter Princess Victoria's wedding, (crowd cheering) establishing a tradition that never fails to wow the crowds.

As a backdrop to the marriage of a prince charming and his princess, Buckingham Palace is fairy tale perfect.

So, let's hope that this tale has a happy ending.

(crowd cheering) (triumphant orchestral music) (traditional Spanish music) In palatial terms, Buckingham Palace is relatively small.

So, to appreciate a true monarchical megastructure, the avid royal watcher makes their way to the Spanish capital of Madrid, (traditional Spanish music) and the largest functioning palace in contemporary Europe, the Royal Palace.

(majestic classical music) With a whopping 135,000 square metres of floor space, the Royal Palace is at least 1,000 times bigger than your average home in the capital, which is probably why the current monarch, King Felipe VI, and his family, choose to live elsewhere, only using the official royal residence for state ceremonies.

(gentle guitar music) Built during the 18th century, it took over 100 years to decorate, and features the work of many great artists, summoned from near and far by Charles III, the first monarch to settle in the palace in 1764.

Their portraits and frescoes remain among the most important treasures within the oversized-residence, particularly the collection of oils painted by Goya, an official royal portraitist.

And this work entitled "The Glory of Spain," a fresco by celebrated Venetian artist Giambattista Tiepolo, which fills the vaulted ceiling over the throne hall, completely dwarfs the furniture for which the room is currently named.

(gentle guitar music) The Throne Room was originally built as an apartment for Charles III's mother, whose likeness is etched on one of the elaborate chairs, duly guarded by two pairs of Medici lions.

(gentle guitar music) (majestic classical music) Each of the palace's 3,418 rooms served a specific purpose.

Some were private chambers while others were designed for business or pleasure, and occasionally, a melding of the two.

(majestic classical music) The Gasperini Room, where monarchs, including King Charles III, who reputedly commissioned it, were dressed, and also, where they chose to meet privately with VIPs, chewing the fat beneath this superb French chandelier.

(majestic classical music) (intense orchestral music) The 400-square-meter Royal Gala dining room, which is still used by the current king and queen nearly every other week, is the largest room in the building.

Formerly three rooms, which made up the private chambers of queen Maria Amalia, it was turned into this spectacular marvel in the late 19th century at the request of King Alfonso XII, who wanted a new room to celebrate his marriage to second wife Maria Cristina of Habsburg and Lorraine.

(intense orchestral music) He retained the original ceiling frescoes, the work of Raphael Mengs, Francisco Bayeu Subías and Alejandro González, one of the sons of the famous locally born and bred Velázquez family.

(intense orchestral music) The table can comfortably sit 130 guests, with the king and queen traditionally sitting on either side in the middle on ever-so-slightly elevated chairs, subtly referencing the superiority of their station.

(fanfare) And given that the Spanish royals own one of the biggest palaces in Europe, it's probably safe to assume that they feel very superior indeed.

(majestic classical music) (majestic classical music) While the vast majority of Europe's grand palaces were built by or for reigning royalty, some served a higher purpose, (bell tolls) (majestic classical music) such as the sumptuous Würzburg residence in Southern Germany.

(majestic classical music) Commissioned in the early 1700s by the Prince-bishop of Würzburg, Johann philipp Franz Von Schönborn, and his brother Friedrich Carl, the residence was reportedly the largest parsonage in Europe.

As the elected rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, prince-bishops had both secular and religious authority.

(majestic classical music) And was the interior fit to house those who served the Almighty?

Oh, my God, it most certainly was.

(majestic classical music) Clearly, Tiepolo was the go-to guy for frescoes, whether you were rich or religious, (majestic classical music) creating this completely over-the-top wonder over the top of the grand staircase in 1743.

(majestic classical music) It's still the world's largest fresco, not quite as long as Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, but a good four metres wider.

Sculptures encircling the work help create the illusion that the painting itself is 3D.

(majestic classical music) It depicts sagas from the four continents that were known to the prince-bishops at the time: Europe, Africa, America and Asia.

(majestic classical music) A little closer to home, but no less magnificent, is the White Hall, or Weisser Saal, richly adorned from floor to ceiling with elaborately carved stucco.

(majestic classical music) And then there's the sumptuous Garden Hall, featuring a larger than life fresco by Johann Zick, a master of the Rococo style, (majestic classical music) and the truly remarkable gilded stucco Spiegelkabinett, or Mirror Hall.

The 600 mirrors which mosaic the walls are painted from behind and etched in gold leaf.

(majestic classical music) The priceless chandelier hanging from the ceiling came from Venice, completely encased in butter, which hardened around the fixture to protect it from damage, a practise many linguists believe gave rise to the German idiom "alles in butter," which is still to this day their unique way of saying "everything is A-OK."

(majestic classical music) (traditional Portuguese music) A second decidedly unimperial palace is located here in Porto, on Portugal's northern coast.

(traditional Portuguese music) In the historical centre of Porto is a spectacular neo-classical building, commissioned not by kings or bishops but by Porto's money merchants, to house their stock exchange.

It's called the Bolsa Palace.

(traditional Portuguese music) Built on the site of a former convent, the Bolsa's structure was completed in 1850; the lavish interiors, in 1910.

(traditional Portuguese music) The octagonal glass-paneled dome covering the central courtyard was added in 1880, subtly illuminating the various coats-of-arms of Portugal and her key trading partners.

(traditional Portuguese music) Up until the mid 1990s, this was still the trading floor of the Porto stock exchange.

But in its current incarnation, it's used to host conferences and exhibitions.

(majestic classical music) Taking a daunting 40 years to sculpt and instal, the grand granite staircase rises to the upper level, where the real splendour of the Palácio unfolds, beginning with two massive bronze chandeliers which hang from the main cupola.

(majestic classical music) There's the Court Room, decorated with paintings by Veloso Salgado, (majestic classical music) the General Assembly Room, and the Arab Room, the ultimate monument to commercial pride, a neo-Moorish wonder inspired by the Alhambra in Spain.

(majestic classical music) Designed by Gustavo Adolfo Gonçalves de Sousa, its primary purpose was to impress, to flaunt the wealth of the Portuguese traders so they could woo potential investors.

Nearly every square centimetre of wall space is decorated, intricately carved with elaborate arabesques, or covered in gold leaf, the total weight of which is estimated to be around 20 kilos.

(majestic classical music) Stunning port-hole-like windows allow sunlight to highlight the floor, a priceless parquetry maze of mahogany, rosewood and maple.

(majestic classical music) Granted, the Palácio da Bolsa was never built for royalty, but this room was fit, if not for a king, then definitely a kingpin or two.

(majestic classical music) (waltz music) At one point, Portugal was ruled by the House of Habsburg, a powerful dynasty whose administrative centre was, for centuries, in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

(waltz music) Despite a couple of world wars, many of the Habsburg palaces still exist today.

(waltz music) And none is more breathtaking than this: Schönbrunn Palace.

(waltz music) (majestic classical music) Located in Hietzing, five kilometres from central Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace was commissioned by Emperor Leopold I in the latter years of the 17th century.

(majestic classical music) The original building was conceived as a hunting lodge for his son, Crown Prince Joseph I, who became the King of the Romans.

(majestic classical music) It was relatively modest at first, but during the reign of Maria Theresa, the only woman to ever rule the Habsburg dominions, it grew into a truly palatial wonder.

(majestic classical music) Taking the throne in 1740, after the death of her father, Charles VI, Schönbrunn quickly became the focus of her court and family life.

(waltz music) Wearing her interior designer crown, Maria Theresa set out to revamp nearly every room.

"If it ain't baroque, then fix it," could well have been her catch-cry.

The family had 3,000 servants in their employ to keep the place in tip-top shape, to "gild the Lily" as it were, dusting the drapes, polishing the porcelain, and fussing with the furniture in all the state rooms to make sure they presented in the best possible light.

(majestic classical music) (majestic classical music) The "Great Gallery" was perhaps the most vain-glorious.

(majestic classical music) Over 40 metres long and 10 wide, it was used for lavish receptions, balls and banquets.

(majestic classical music) It's a true celebration of the prosperity of the monarchy under the reign of Maria Theresa, complete with self-adulating ceiling frescoes, (majestic classical music) acres of white and gold stucco, (majestic classical music) gilt chandeliers, and wall candelabras that once held 2,000 candles.

When the electricity was switched on in 1901, candles became passé, replaced by 1,104 illuminating bulbs.

But, 110 years later, they too were superseded by LED globes that ironically mimic the flicker of candlelight.

(majestic classical music) Beyond the gallery, the extravagance continues through another 1,440 rooms, decorated with a daunting array of period furniture, thousands of antique clocks, and countless portraits of the Habsburg clan, and the events that shaped their dominion.

(majestic classical music) The black lacquer room, once the private study of Emperor Franz Stephan, was remodelled by Maria Theresa after her beloved husband's death.

The panels that give the room its name came from the Imperial Manufactory in Peking, while the main portrait on display, a posthumous likeness of Franz Stephan, was commissioned by Maria to complete the memorial to her husband.

While most of the rooms in the massive complex are now privately owned or used for official business, 45 are open to all comers, as is the extensive baroque garden.

It opened to the public in 1779, the year before Maria Theresa died.

At 1.2 kilometres long and almost one-kilometer wide, the "Great Parterre" creates a dramatic central axis, with formal gardens replicated on either side and 32 larger-than-life statues that represent mythological deities and virtues.

(majestic classical music) The most important monument in the regal garden is the Neptune fountain, which, once again, was commissioned by Maria Theresa.

Neptune stands centre stage in a shell-shaped chariot, surrounded by an entourage of nymphs, sea-goddesses and tritons, half-man, half-fish creatures from the deep.

They are restraining Neptune's sea-horses and holding conch shell trumpets, instruments that were sure to instil fear in both man and beast.

The whole dramatic sculpture, which took four years to complete, references a common motif used by artists during the Renaissance to symbolise a monarch's control over the destiny of their people.

Beyond the fountain, sitting at the top of a small hill, is the Gloriette, (gentle classical music) a magnificent pavilion with a commanding view over the garden.

An imperial eagle, perched on a globe, surrounded by trophies, crowns the central section of the structure, which is shaped like a triumphal arch, flanked by an open arcade.

(gentle classical music) Looking back towards the palace itself, it serves as both a lookout and focal point for the whole Schönbrunn complex, (gentle classical music) which, not surprisingly, was granted World Heritage status in 1996.

(majestic classical music) Running the Schönbrunn a close second in the Viennese palace stakes is this, the Hofburg Palace.

(majestic classical music) (people murmuring) For over 600 years, the Hofburg served as the official winter residence of the Habsburg sovereigns.

And whilst the Habsburgs have been consigned to history, the Hofburg itself holds onto power as the official residence of the serving Austrian president.

Yet what draws so many to the Hofburg Palace is neither politicians nor princes: it's ponies.

(majestic classical music) At the centre of the 59-acre palace complex is the Winter Riding School.

(majestic classical music) Built between 1729 and 1735 at the request of Emperor Charles VI, the school is still regarded as one of the most prestigious classical riding academies in the world.

(majestic classical music) The school's renown is based on the classical dressage skills of the Lipizzan stallions and their riders, a highlight for visitors to Hofburg who watch from the large spectator gallery encircling the grandiose hall.

(majestic classical music) But die-hard equestrians are just as likely to sign up for a behind the scenes tour of the stables.

(majestic classical music) Every saddle hanging in the tack room is tailor-made to suit both horse and rider.

And every air-conditioned stall is spotlessly clean, (majestic classical music) more than fit for the finest team of dancing white horses in Vienna.

The riding school has outlasted its Habsburg founders by more than a century, but the school's survival was once a close-run thing.

(planes humming) When bombs began raining down on Vienna towards the end of World War II, staff at the riding school braced for the worst.

Thanks to the foresight of the then director, the Riding Hall's principal treasures, its crystal chandeliers and portrait of Charles VI, were relocated for safe-keeping, along with the precious stallions themselves.

(bombs exploding) (majestic classical music) Fortunately, this magnificent building escaped destruction.

The horses eventually returned and the riding school was back into its stride.

(majestic classical music) (upbeat music) The bustling street life of modern India is far removed for the prancing horses of the Hofburg.

(people murmuring) But, like its European counterparts, India has crafted its own equally excessive blueprint for the palace.

And its showcase is the city of Jaipur.

(traditional Indian music) Founded in 1727, Jaipur is renowned for its exquisite palaces.

(traditional Indian music) There's the "Water Palace," or Jal Mahal, in the middle of the Man Sagar lake, (gentle music) the City Palace, which continues to be the home of Jaipur's royal family, (gentle music) and the incomparable Hawa Mahal, "The Palace of the Winds."

(traditional Indian music) But the Jewel in the Jaipur crown is this: Rambagh Palace.

(traditional Indian music) Functioning today as a world class hotel, the Rambagh Palace sits on a large estate, eight kilometres beyond Jaipur's city walls.

(traditional Indian music) Originally built in 1835 as a garden house for the Maharani of Jaipur's favourite hand-maiden, the Rambagh was converted into a royal guest house and hunting lodge in 1887.

(traditional Indian music) In the early 20th century, it underwent a major transformation, becoming the principal residence of the last ruling Maharaja of Jaipur.

(traditional Indian music) The Maharaja was one of several rulers who saw the potential of tourism early, turning Rambagh into a luxury hotel in 1957.

(traditional Indian music) Designed in an eclectic mix of styles, it features an extensive marble-floored, colonnaded arcade that provides access to the 78 guest suites, a perfectly manicured Mughal courtyard, and the elegant Rajput Room, so named for the stylish arches surrounding the windows and feature walls.

Complete with 18th century French-style chandeliers, this second dining room was once the palace ballroom, and has hosted the likes of Lord Mountbatten, his nephew Prince Charles, and the former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

The Rambagh is no longer the exclusive domain of Indian royalty; as a hotel, it's open to anyone.

However, with rooms here costing anything from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per night, feeling like a maharaja costs a king's ransom.

But with surroundings like this, it's probably money well spent.

(traditional Indian music) (traditional Indian music) Not to be outshone by Jaipur is the city of Jodhpur, 370 kilometres to the west.

(traditional Indian music) (traffic humming) (traditional Indian music) Standing proud on Jodhpur's skyline is the Umaid Bhawan, a multifaceted palace that functions as a private residence, a luxury hotel, and a museum.

(traditional Indian music) (pigeons cooing) (traditional Indian music) Designed by British architect Henry Lanchester in the 1920s, the Umaid Bhawan took 14 years to complete.

(traditional Indian music) And it's said that Lanchester and Maharaja Umaid Singh, for whom the palace was built, were inspired by the layout of Hindu and Buddhist temples.

(traditional Indian music) Constructed from interlocking sandstone blocks without the use of mortar, the lavish palace was one of the largest royal residences in the world when it opened in 1943.

Featuring the same Makrana marble that was used in the iconic Taj Mahal, the palace has 347 rooms, several courtyards, an indoor swimming pool, and a spectacular 31-meter-high vaulted dome.

(traditional Indian music) But for all the grandeur the Maharaja created for his family to enjoy, their days in the palace were numbered.

Umaid Singh passed away four years after the palace was completed, then his son, Hanwant Singh, was tragically killed in a plane crash.

Gaj Singh II, the next successor in line for the throne, ran out of money to maintain the Umaid Bhawan when state subsidies were withdrawn.

But Gaj Singh avoided homelessness retaining a couple of the palace's wings for personal use.

(traditional Indian music) By adapting to changing times and circumstances, the palaces of India have managed to stay afloat and open for several centuries.

(traditional Indian music) And with architecture that's absorbed many cultural and historical influences, these magnificent icons simultaneously manage to be both global and quintessentially Indian.

(traditional Indian music) (triumphant classical music) While India had her maharajas and maharinis, and Europe its emperors and empresses, the top titles reserved for Russian royalty were tsars and tsarinas.

And when it came to flaunting their wealth and extravagance, they were truly in a league of their own.

The most famous of all the Russian rulers was Peter the Great, who rose to stardom expanding the tsardom into a colossal empire, the third largest in human history.

(majestic classical music) He also established the city of St.

Petersburg, which remained the capital of Russia for just over 200 years.

(majestic classical music) Founded in 1703, St.

Petersburg heralded a new imperial way of life, renowned at the time for its extravagance.

Peter the Great was a great traveller, importing ideas and architects from Europe to help realise his grand design, a city that would, in time, rival the grandest on the planet.

(majestic classical music) The Winter Palace was one of his earliest commissions.

A modest building at first, it was almost constantly altered and added to by rulers who followed his lead, most notably the Empress Anna, the tsarina who, in commissioning architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, reimagined the palace in its present form.

(solemn vocal music) The privileged world of the tsars came to an abrupt end in 1917, when the bolsheviks threw open the gates of the Winter Palace and other imperial residences, declaring them "the property of the people."

(solemn vocal music) Civilians were free to come and go as they pleased, gawping at the lavish interiors and precious artefacts of their former rulers.

(solemn vocal music) A situation that appears to have reinvented itself for the "Insta Generation" quite admirably.

(majestic classical music) Today, the Tsarina's giant mint-green, white and gold macaron-like confection, houses the world-renowned State Hermitage Museum.

And despite its robust art collection constantly vying for attention, its interiors still give visitors an impression of how the other half lived back in the day, when the Russians ruled one-sixth of the world.

(majestic classical music) (majestic classical music) The Jordan staircase in the Winter Palace is a marvel.

(majestic classical music) Just one of 117 flights in the building, but easily the most impressive (majestic classical music) and one of just a few parts of the structure that retained Rastrelli's 18th-century Rococo-style.

(majestic classical music) The palace is said to contain 1,500 rooms of varying shapes and sizes, (majestic classical music) including the so-called "Small Throne Room," the size of which says a lot about Russian royalty's sense of proportion.

(majestic classical music) Like all homeowners, the Russian royals eventually felt the need for a makeover.

When Catherine II came to the throne in 1762, she sacked Rastrelli, ditched his baroque stylings and introduced a note of neoclassical reserve into the palace's fittings and furnishings.

Not that the casual tourist would notice, the tsarist design mantra clearly remained, "Too much is never enough."

(majestic classical music) (bombs exploding) (cannons firing) St.

Petersburg, or Leningrad as it was then known, was devastated in World War II.

This is where one of the most horrific sieges in history took place, a blockade that lasted 872 days.

With no food, no heat, no supplies and no way out, more than a million civilians died.

(dramatic music) Hitler's intention was to wipe Leningrad from the face of the earth through demolitions, but the city refused to surrender.

Before retreating, the Nazis looted and destroyed the historical palaces of the tsars, including this, Catherine Palace, one of the most remarkable palaces ever built.

With skill and patience though, Catherine palace was eventually restored to its former glory.

(majestic classical music) Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the glacial blue, gold and white Catherine Palace is, once more, a wonder to behold.

(majestic classical music) A great deal of what wows the crowds today was rebuilt, virtually from scratch, in the 1950s, working from architectural plans, photographs and drawings that had been saved from the city archives prior to the siege, by a posse of prudent preservationists and curators.

(majestic classical music) Named after the wife of Peter the Great, Catherine I, who ruled Russia for several years after his death, the palace owes its grandeur to their daughter, Empress Elizabeth.

Eager to indulge her pigeon-paired passions, seducing men and spending lots of money, the empress instructed Rastrelli, who was still the chief architect of the Imperial Court, to build something that would rival the scale of Versailles.

(majestic classical music) She embellished the exterior of her dream palace with over 100 kilogrammes of gold, enlivening all the tan sections you see today on the building's facade.

The original palace was completed in 1756, and was widely regarded as one of the greatest works of art and architecture from the 18th century.

(gentle music) The palace is just as magnificent inside as out, with every detail meticulously recreated for the benefit of the modern world.

(gentle music) More than 5,000 artisans were brought together for the post world war two restoration of the ruin.

Reviving long forgotten techniques in carpentry, gilding and plastering, they seized the opportunity to pass their skills on to the next generation.

They created an icon that not only bears testament to the lavish lifestyle of the imperials, but to their own culture of craftsmanship as well.

(waltz music) The Great Hall, also known as the "Hall of Light," takes up the full width of the 325-meter-long palace.

Its large arched windows allow in just enough light to appreciate the gilded stucco walls and extraordinary fresco, one of the largest ceiling paintings in Europe.

It's titled the "Triumph of Russia," (majestic classical music) which, given the fact that it was reproduced in its entirety by a four-man team, could just as easily apply to the restoration project as to the moment in history it depicts.

(gentle music) Moving from one room to the next leaves most visitors completely in awe, for Elizabeth's penchant for decadence was both blatant and relentless.

Compared to the Great Hall, these stately rooms are relatively compact, but no less luxurious, with many featuring blue and white Hamburg-tiled baroque stoves in their corners, and elaborately patterned parquet floors.

(majestic classical music) Despite each room being surpassed by the next, it's impossible not to be completely overwhelmed by the honey-colored Amber Room.

(majestic classical music) Widely referred to as the Eight Wonder of the World, the original mosaicked panels were gifted to Peter the Great in 1716 by Frederick of Prussia, priceless artefacts that were pilfered by the Nazis just before they left St.

Petersburg.

(majestic classical music) To this day their whereabouts remain a mystery, but the replicas that stand in their stead are just as stunning.

Using six tonnes of amber, they were reproduced in 2003 for $12 million.

(majestic classical music) Grand, gobsmacking and just a teensy bit gaudy, Catherine Palace is the apex of aristocratic architecture, and perhaps goes to prove that with palaces nothing succeeds quite like excess.

(majestic classical music) (majestic classical music) Extravagant, extraordinary, and always extremely expensive, (majestic classical music) palaces have been the playthings and playgrounds of the powerful for centuries.

(majestic classical music) Once the exclusive preserve of royals, ruling classes, and not a few reprobates, (majestic classical music) palaces are the gilt-edged mirrors of bygone ages, (majestic classical music) but also a reflection of history's shifting currents.

(majestic classical music) Today, palaces have had to fling open their gates to all comers to both justify their upkeep and ensure their survival.

(majestic classical music) And in doing so, they have established themselves as an enduring part of our world's rich architectural and cultural tapestry.

(majestic classical music) (dramatic orchestral music)