The Tuileries Palace is the lost symbol of Paris

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

When it comes to the capital of France, its main symbols come to mind - the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral and, of course, the Louvre. The once majestic royal palace, and now the most famous museum, was a single architectural ensemble with a building built during the reign of Catherine de Medici and, unfortunately, has not survived to this day.

We are talking about the Tuileries Palace, which became the possession of the French monarchs. Now this place is a beautiful garden of the same name.

History of the construction of the palace

The Tuileries Palace began to be built in 1559 by order of the widow of Henry II, who was very upset by the death of her husband. To distract herself from her sad thoughts, she moved to a former castle-fortress, which gradually turned into the residence of kings.

She wanted to live in her own palace, so Catherine de Medici ordered the famous architect Delorme, who brought to life all the whims of the monarchs, to build near the place where the Louvre is located, a new building in which she would rule on behalf of her sick son.

Complex of threepavilions

Chateau Tuileries, decorated in the Renaissance style, evoked pleasant memories of the Queen's native Italy. The beautiful palace consisted of the central pavilion "Clock", which burned down during the revolution, and two adjacent buildings, which were practically not damaged.

In 1564, the palace ensemble included a picturesque park with luxurious fountains, spacious terraces and green alleys, which later became part of the Champs Elysees.

Connection transition

At the initiative of the ruler, large-scale work began on the construction of a large gallery along the banks of the Seine, which was supposed to connect the Louvre and the Tuileries Palace. However, construction was h alted for forty years after the queen was foretold troubles related to the church of Saint-Germain, the parish of which belonged to the main residence of the royal families.

When the construction of Versailles began, the work was completed, and a connecting passage appeared, expanding the palace.

The mystical legend of the bloody queen and the warlock

Terrible things were going on in the bright building that closed the courtyard of the Louvre. The bloodthirsty lover of revenge was fond of black magic, which allowed her to kill her opponents. The cruel ruler hired a powerful magician who learned all the secrets of his queen and became a real threat to her. Fearing treason, Catherine de Medici ordered the executioner to deal with the objectionable warlock.

Legend says that the sorcerer, bleeding, disappeared without a trace from the underground catacombs where mystical rituals were held. However, he soonreturned as a frightening ghost that did not give a quiet life to his killer and queen. And then he began to appear to all the inhabitants of the palace.

Changes in appearance

After the death of the ruler, the palace of the French kings has undergone changes. The area of the residence was constantly increasing, and the building was rebuilt over the course of two centuries.

Residence occupied by revolutionaries

During the French Revolution, the rebellious population of France overthrows the monarchy, and Louis XVI leaves Versailles and moves to the Tuileries Palace, from the spacious windows of which a magnificent view of the green garden of the Tuileries opened.

When the rebels who wanted revenge break into the residence, the king secretly flees. However, this did not save Louis XVI, and he was executed six months later.

Later, the French Convention, which declared the country a republic, holds its meetings in the former royal residence. The northern part of the palace was redesigned, and the heating room turned into a hall where important decisions were made.

Residence of Napoleon Bonaparte

After Napoleon comes to power, he makes the Tuileries Palace - the "sanctuary of the monarchy" - his residence, blooming literally before our eyes. The Arc de Triomphe was installed in front of the main entrance, and all the interiors were redesigned in a very fashionable Greek style.

The death of the palace

In 1871, after the proclamation of the Paris Commune, the palace was burned down, and there was no question of restoration, because the public believed that the symbol of the monarchy should notexist.

After 12 years, on the site of ruins near the place where the Louvre (museum) is now located, the dilapidated garden of the same name was revived. Open to all comers, the holiday destination for Parisians and tourists is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

Recovery talk

After restoration, the two surviving pavilions included in the museum complex house the art galleries of the Louvre, and since 2003 there has been talk of restoring the main pavilion "Clock".

However, scientists give their arguments, saying that the development of the historical place has long been established, and even with a complete reconstruction, the residence will never be the same.

Sights of Paris

The numerous palaces of Paris, which have become cultural treasures of the country, provide a unique opportunity to touch history and travel back to the era of palace intrigues.

French monarchs, as their power strengthened, erected majestic royal residences. Some of them have reached contemporaries in excellent condition, but little remains of many. Chateau Tuileries has become a lost building that has not been preserved for posterity, but the memory of it will always live.