The Royal Palace Monaco: A Mediterranean fortress transformed into a gracious house part 3 May 5, 2008
Posted by dodo in : Library, Monaco, Museum , 5commentsThe palace was in a dreadful condition when the Principality regained its independence. The Bath Pavilion was in such bad repair that it had to be demolished. The work of restoration was started under Honoré V and finished by Prince Charles III. The latter rebuilt St Mary’s Tower, placed a new altar in the chapel and had its vaulting covered with frescoes. On the facade the frescoes of Jacob Froëschle and Deschler depicted the past glories of the Grimaldis and of the Principality. Finally the Guard Room was completely altered. A huge chimney-piece was inserted and the whole was decorated in renaissance style.
Huis ten Bosch: The elegant ‘House in the Wood’ of the Dutch Royal Family May 4, 2008
Posted by dodo in : England, Nassau, Netherlands , 4commentsThe seventeenth century represents one of the most interesting periods in the architectural development of the northern Netherlands. The Dutch had challenged the Spaniards for their freedom, but it was not until the reign of Frederik Hendrik, a son of Prince William of Orange, that Holland attained political and cultural unity.
The Princes of Orange had at first been modest in their residential requirements. Frederik Hendrik, however, after assuming the Stadholdership in 1625, ushered in a new period and began his architectural activities by rebuilding the old castle at Honselaarsdijk, soon to be followed by the Huis ter Nieuburch at Rijswijk and the wings of het Oude Hof (the Old Court) in the Noordeinde at the Hague. Finally, the Oranjesael or Huis ten Bosch (` the House in the Wood’) was planned by Pieter Post at the wish of Princess Amalia van Solms-Braunfels. Countess van Solms, a maid-of-honour at the court of Frederik V of the Palatinate, had married Frederik Hendrik of Orange in 1625. (more…)
