Palace of Versailles - Paris

There are places that you know about long before you see them. You heard about them in school, saw them in movies, and read about them in books. However, only when you find yourself in front of them do you realise that no story, no photograph, and no teacher's lecture can bring you back to what you see in person. The Palace of Versailles is one of those places that amazes you with its story and takes your breath away with its presence.

As I approached this huge complex, I had the impression that I was not just coming to a palace, but entering a completely different time, the time of kings and queens, a time when luxury was displayed with gold, the more ornate the better. You will agree that today it is completely the opposite, today, harmony is most important.

Welcome to Palace of Versailles

It's hard to believe that Versailles was once just a hunting lodge, and today it's a golden palace. In the 17th century, King Louis XIII built a small palace here for his stays outside of Paris. However, the real twist comes with his son, Louis XIV, known as the Sun King.

Louis XIV had a clear vision, he wanted a palace that would show all the power of the French monarchy and make it clear that everything revolves around the king.
Versailles became more than a residence, it became the political center of the state, the place where every important decision was made and where the aristocracy was under the constant supervision of the king.

The construction lasted for decades, and the best architects, artists and landscape designers of the time were involved in it. Money was not an obstacle, the goal was perfection.

As soon as you enter the main square, you are greeted by a facade that seems to have no end. Golden details shine even under a cloudy sky, massive doors decorated with ornaments seem monumental, and the whole space exudes a certain quiet seriousness. It will amaze you that all this is gilded and shines as brightly as on the first day.

Although Versailles is now full of visitors from all over the world, there are moments when you feel as if you are alone, as if you have come to visit a king. The vast corridors, high ceilings and the correct symmetry of the space create a feeling of luxury and power.

"The Horses of the Sun"

The Horses of the Sun statue perfectly depicts the power and movement of Versailles. The horses seem to be in an eternal race, symbolising the Sun and the power of King Louis XIV. Even today, centuries later, this sculpture continues to attract the attention of tourists, portraying the power of that era and reminding us how art and power were once inextricably linked.

"The Apollo Served by the Nymphs"

The Apollo Served by the Nymphs statue depicts the Sun god at rest, surrounded by nymphs who care for him after his daily ride through the sky. This scene caught my attention, it made me stop, look at it and think. Harmonious, but also subtly reminiscent of Louis XIV's relationship with Apollo, a symbol of light, order and royal power. At Versailles, even the gods seem part of a carefully crafted story.

The room where the Horses of the Sun and Apollo Served by the Nymphs statues are located leaves a strong impression from the first step. It is huge, tall and opulent, with walls completely covered in frescoes depicting mythological scenes, illuminated by golden details that catch the light from every angle.

The gaze naturally wanders upwards, towards the ceiling, where there is a huge harp, placed high, almost as a symbol of music, harmony and divine order. The whole space seems like a place where art, mythology and royal ambition merge into one.

As you stand in that hall, you have the feeling that you have entered a world where every detail has been carefully designed to make an impression, not just to be seen, but to be felt. Versailles does not speak quietly here either; he speaks the language of greatness.

One of the details that particularly caught my attention, and which often goes unnoticed by visitors, is the model of Versailles. At first glance, it seems like an ordinary exhibition object, but as soon as you get close to it, you realise how much effort has actually been put into it, done with a lot of detail and precision.

The model shows Versailles as it was in its full glory, with all the palace wings, gardens, fountains, canals and outbuildings. Only then does it become clear how huge the entire complex is and how much attention has been paid to every meter of space.

While observing and photographing her, I had the feeling that I was looking at some kind of "map of power". Everything is perfectly symmetrical, properly arranged and under control, just the way Louis XIV wanted his country to look.

The model allows you to understand Versailles in a way that is not possible while walking through the corridors, it gives you the whole view from above, as if you were flying above the palace.

From the number of statues and portraits of Louis XIV located in the palace itself, we can conclude how much power he loved, but we can also see that he loved only himself, he was his own idol.

"The Zephyr and Flora"

The Zephyr and Flora statue depicts a moment of tenderness and movement, the west wind Zephyr gently approaches Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring. The whole scene seems light and romantic, as if a brief moment was caught between the breath of the wind and the scent of a flower. In Versailles, this sculpture symbolizes the awakening of nature, harmony and the eternal connection between power and beauty.

If there is one room that symbolizes Versailles, it is without a doubt the Hall of Mirrors ("Galerie des Glaces").

Almost 75 meters long, with 357 mirrors reflecting light from large windows, this hall seems like a scene from a fairy tale. Once upon a time, grand receptions, balls and ceremonies were held here, while today it is used for admiring, photographing and posting on social networks to boast about the splendor we experienced.

Interestingly, mirrors were extremely expensive and rare at that time, owning so many of them was a clear sign of wealth and prestige in France.

In this same hall, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, which formally ended the First World War. One room, but so many different historical moments.

Versailles was not only a place of luxury, but also of strictly defined court life.

The royal chambers were decorated to the smallest detail, with rich tapestries, golden frames, massive furniture and ceilings painted with mythological scenes.
But behind all that opulence, there was also a strict hierarchy.

Even the king's awakening and going to sleep were public rituals, attended by selected members of the court. Everything was a show, power was not only ruled, but it was also shown.

Versailles is not a place to visit quickly. The longer you linger, the more details begin to appear before your eyes, reliefs on the walls, small ornaments on the doors, painted ceilings depicting mythological scenes, wars, victories and the glory of the king.

Each room has its own theme, its own symbolism and message. Nothing is accidental, neither the colors, nor the motifs, nor the layout of the rooms. Everything aims to remind the visitor who was the master of this place.

As I passed through the halls, I often stopped just to look up. The ceilings are so richly painted that they act as works of art in themselves, and the light that enters through the large windows further emphasizes their depth.

Even though Versailles is extremely crowded today, I also managed to capture moments between groups of people. Moments when the corridor remains empty for a few seconds, when only footsteps and the soft echo of space are heard.

In those moments, it's easy to imagine how everything used to look, how ladies in luxurious dresses walked, the sound of music, and the presence of the king that was felt even before he appeared.

The photos I took during those breaks carry a special atmosphere, they are not only a document of the space, but also a memory, and I wanted to brag to you a little :D

Versailles was a symbol of power, but precisely because of that it also became a symbol of injustice. During the French Revolution, the royal family was forced to leave the palace, and Versailles lost its original role.

It was later turned into a museum, and today it is one of the most important cultural and historical places in Europe. The space that was once reserved only for the elite is now open to the whole world.

As I walked through the halls and gardens, I thought about everything that had happened here. How many steps have walked these same floors before me?
How many decisions, fates and ambitions have left their mark?

The photos I took try not only to capture the beauty of the space, but also the atmosphere, grandeur and weight of history.

The Palace of Versailles is much more than a tourist attraction. It is a monument to a time, a symbol of human ambition, and proof that power, no matter how great, is not eternal.

As I left Versailles, I felt like I was leaving behind not just a building, but an entire era. The place that was once the center of the world is now a tourist attraction, but it still has a story behind it from which to learn and to learn from mistakes. That is why we are where we are today, because we are developing and growing together day by day.