Must–See Royal Palaces and Crown Jewels on your next Luxury Tour
The world’s most iconic monarchies shine brightest in the vestments and
residences they own
More than the power and prestige that
monarchs hold, it’s the artifacts and buildings signifying sovereignty that
capture people’s imaginations. From the Forbidden City in Beijingto the British
Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, these regal legacies embody the pomp and splendor
of royalty commoners can only dream of.
We commoners may never get the chance
to own these regal vestments and mansions.But with good enough savings, we can at
least treat ourselves to a luxury vacation for a glimpse of these once-exclusive
royal attractions.Thinking of spending a little to seesome of history's most renowned
symbols of royalty? Here are a few ideasthat will take you beyond the usual experience
of crowns and castles.
Symbols of Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne
Just a few kilometers from Tokyo
Station in Japan, the Imperial Palace offers scenic views in the East Garden where
the public can stroll around arboreal spaces surrounded by deep moats and
towering stone walls. Guided tours are restricted outside the buildings. Fortunately,
the inner precincts open during two occasions: the customary New Year’s
greeting every January 2 and the Emperor’s birthday.
As for Japan’s Imperial Regalia, the
Three Sacred Treasures are distributed in three holy shrinesdedicated to the
Shinto Goddess Amaterasu:the jewel Yasakani no Magatamahoused in the Imperial
Palace;the mirror Yata no Kagami kept in the Grand Shrine of Ise, Mie Prefecture;
and the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi located in Atsuta Shrine at Nagoya, Aichi
Prefecture.These relics are not on public display, but tourists can still visit
the Museum of the Imperial Collections in the East Garden to see the imperial household
treasures including paintings, pottery, sculptures, and calligraphy.
Seat of Thailand’s Royal House
In the heart of Bangkok,
Thailand, the Grand Palace boasts impressive architecture with several gilded
pagodas and intricate embellishments on pavilions, temples, and royal halls. Proper
clothing such as long pants and sleeves is a must to gain entry as part of a
dress code; otherwise, a booth at the entrance can provide clothes for a small
deposit fee.
The Thai royal regalia consist of
several items used for the coronation rites. These include the Royal
Nine-Tiered Umbrella, the Great Crown of Victory, the Sword of Victory, the
Royal Staff, the Royal Slippers, the Royal Fan and Flywhisk, the four Royal
Utensils, and the eight Weapons of Sovereignty. All these together with other
national treasures are on display in the Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations
and Coins at the Grand Palace.
Remains of the Holy Roman Empire
Dominating the Nuremburg skyline
in Bavaria, Germany, is Kaiserburg Castle, home to the German kings of the Holy
Roman Empire for about 500 years. Notable
attractions include the Romanesque double chapel featuring a Gothic crucifix by
Northern Renaissance German sculptor, VeitStross. Others are the Imperial
Apartments containing antique furniture, tapestries, and artwork, as well as the
Imperial Castle Museum featuring an array of armaments.
The Imperial Regalia, however, is
housed in Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria. On display include the
stone-studded Imperial Crown, the Imperial Scepter, the Imperial Orb, the Imperial
Sword, and the Holy Lance said to have pierced the side of Jesus during his
crucifixion. These, among a host of regalia and reliquaries on exhibit, are only
part of a large secular collection from across Europe.
Pride of Scotland
Tourists at the United Kingdom
often think of the Buckingham Palace andthe Tower of London’s 140 royal
ceremonial objects including the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign’s Orb, and
the Sovereign’s Scepter when planning a royal sightseeing. For a different monarchicalexperience,
Scotland is a must-visit.
Standing on an outcrop of
volcanic rock, Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle has seen plenty of palace intrigues,
imprisonments,and even murders throughout the stronghold’s centuries-old
history.Some of the places to explore include the twelfth-century St.
Margaret’s Chapel, the massive Mons Meg cannon, and the Stone of Destiny used for
the coronation of Scottish monarchs and, later on, the monarchs of unified
Great Britain.
The Scottish Crown Jewels once
worn by Mary Queen of Scots are on display in the Crown Room of Edinburgh Castle
together with the Stone of Destiny. Known as the Honours of Scotland, these
royal articles include the Crown first donned by James V, the Scepter gifted to
James IV by Pope Alexander VI, and the Sword of State also given to James IV by
Pope Julius II.
As the oldest set of crown jewels
in the British Isles, the Honours played many roles from crowing ancient Scottish
kings and queens to representing the Monarch at the Scottish Parliament in modern
times. Curious about the history of the Scottish regalia and its first
possessors? Follow the exploits of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, in Reign, every Tuesday at 9:45PM on Blue
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