The Palace of Versailles was the royal residence from 1682 until the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. It was a period when France was the most powerful nation in the world, and the monarch's power had to shine over the world not only through victorious wars, but also with buildings and art. Today it is the most visited UNESCO heritage site in the world, which means long lines and overcrowded palace halls.
The Palace of Versailles influenced many European monarchies, many architects tried to copy the architecture and decor of the palace. The Royal Palace of La Granja in San Ildefonso, Spain or the Peterhof Palace in Russia, were strongly inspired by Versailles.
The most famous room in the Palace is the Hall of Mirrors. It was a luxurious room, 73 meters/ 240 feet long, covered with 357 mirrors on the walls, which amazed prestigious guests. In those days, mirrors were invariably expensive. Only the king of France could afford such a large room with mirrors.
To add more beauty to the palace, King Louis XIV ordered creation the most magnificent gardens in Europe. Gardens of Versailles contained ponds, canals, fountains, geometric flower beds, exotic trees and countless statues.
