For me Blenheim Palace (pronounced blenin) in Oxfordshire is very special. The tale that Blenheim tells is one of great fascination to many.
Blenheim is the grandest house every built in the Barock style. The Barock style is intended to mimic the ancient world. The house was built for the Duke of Marlborough- one of Britains most famous generals - and part financed by Queen Anne as reward for great victory at the battle of Blenheim.
Every aspect of Barock impresses. Notice the Romanesque columns and height of the entrance topped with the triangular carved stone. Notice also how tall and thin the door is. The use of a thin door is to emphasie hight and makes you expect a much smaller entrance.
Blenheim is set in 2100 Acers of majestic land - which every attention to detail and no expense spared.
Blenheim was one of the last of the great houses built for status alone. The Barock style is intended to be over the top and display wealth. As the years went on country houses became less about style and more about comfort. The movement towards Robert Adams style houses started this.
The interior was designed to impress. Only the finest woods were used and most of the floors are marble or granite. It is truly remarkable.
Blenheim is also very famous for being the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill never inherited the house in his time; but he spent a lot of time there.
However, Blenheim sadly went out of fasion after it was built. Many nobles thought that the Barock style was over the top and did not make for confortable living.
I would advise anyone to visit Blenheim as it is – like so many others – open to the public. Blenheim was opened to the public as the family could not afford to run it as a private residence. There is now very few grand houses lived in as private residences. This shows how the era of the super rich getting money for simply being a Duke has ended. The age of the stately home is over. I do not think any residence in the modern era will even compare to Blenheim. The world's most expensive home is smaller than Blenheim in terms of square footage.
The modern era, has seen some vile architectures being created.
When comparing with modern architecture the bottom line is Barock is out and b***er all is in. Or
that is my opinion at least.
Google images.
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