11 Grand & Historical Official Residences (PHOTOS)

An official residence - the place where the head of a state or other senior figures reside - is an important part of a country's history, and often a tourist attraction as well.

Here is a list of 11 famous and historical official residences around the world, several of which used to be palaces or fortresses.

These buildings are still in use today, so access can be limited, but we think they are worth visiting even if only for the exterior!

 

Visited a beautiful and historical official residence somewhere in the world? Send us pictures!

Find a picture, click the participate button, add a title and upload your picture

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La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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La Fortaleza (The Fortress) is the current official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. It is the oldest executive mansion in the New World. The fortress was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan, the first of a series of military structures built to protect the city.

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La Fortaleza (The Fortress) is the current official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. It is the oldest executive mansion in the New World. The fortress was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan, the first of a series of military structures built to protect the city.

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Residence

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Comments

[touropia]

06:08 AM on 11/04/2010

here = http://www.touropia.com/historic-and-famous-prisons/

[touropia]

06:24 AM on 11/04/2010

Correct link is http://www.touropia.com/famous-official-residences/
The link above is just another article the Huffingtonpost simply copied.

[touropia]

06:06 AM on 11/04/2010

I am not sure what to make of this. This article is just exactly the same as the one found here. Although you have changed the order, the items listed are the same. You also simply copied the text which I think is a copyright violation. So much for originality.

[MJinCanada]

01:16 AM on 11/03/2010

They missed the Doge's Palace in Venice!

We have a DVD of a documentary called "Francesco's Venice" in which a charming guy named Francesco da Mosto shows off his home town (where his family has lived for nearly 1000 years). Magnificent shots of the palace and entertaining explanation of how the doges were elected.

[TStringfellow]

03:34 PM on 11/02/2010

I would add one of the following: Copan Ruinas Honduras, Chichen Itza Mexico, Tikal Guatemala or Palenque Mexico.

[Kirsten Kerbie Berggren]

02:58 PM on 11/02/2010

What about the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC?

[PoliSci2008]

02:45 PM on 11/02/2010

Out of all, I think Palacio Real, Madrid, Spain is top of the Grand residence.

The White House and it's grounds are beautiful, but not grand. I wish we as Americans wouldn't be so cheap with the White House, it needs a major American MakeOver.

[GeeBee]

02:22 PM on 11/02/2010

Hulihe'e Palace in Honolulu is also worth seeing.

[jonthebru]

03:08 PM on 11/02/2010

You mean Iolani Palace? I agree. Though not quite as spectacular as the European Palaces It is the only Royal Palace within the United State. And very, very authentic.
Huli'hee Palace in along Alii Drive in Kona. Its grand staircase is of Koa wood, and beautifully restored.

[jasev01]

12:49 PM on 11/02/2010

how many of these places are wired with fiber?

[CMB1969]

12:09 PM on 11/02/2010

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul would defintely have belonged on the list.

[Halsey]

11:34 AM on 11/02/2010

And today we have strip malls. These are wonderful photos and I wanna be a princess!(as long as the castle has been updated with central heating; no amount of luxery is worth being cold).

[jonthebru]

03:11 PM on 11/02/2010

When its cold you go hang out in the kitchen. I do agree that the strip mall design mentality is crapola. Even the public square ares of many US cities are beautiful compared to strip malls.

[roshni]

11:12 AM on 11/02/2010

Monticello is pretty awesome too.

[CMB1969]

12:08 PM on 11/02/2010

that was Thomas Jefferson's private home, not an official residence

[Donna Davis]

11:12 AM on 11/02/2010

Biltmore is wonderful!

[piul05]

10:59 AM on 11/02/2010

Oh, yea, the Alcázar Palace in Seville is quite something - I took some 100 pictures when I was there.

In fact, the whole of Seville is gorgeous!

[JScott]

10:49 AM on 11/02/2010

I guess I was very fortunate to see the White House way back in 63 when they had public tours.

[Sockme]

09:46 AM on 11/02/2010

What about the Potala Palace in Tibet?

http://www.presscluboftibet.org/china-tibet-29/potala-palace.htm