Château de Chambord
Castle in Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire, France / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Château de Chambord (French pronunciation: [ʃɑto d(ə) ʃɑ̃bɔʁ]) in Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire, France, is one of the most recognisable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture, which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building was constructed by the king of France, Francis I.[1]
Château de Chambord | |
---|---|
General information | |
Status | Extant |
Architectural style | French Renaissance, Classical Renaissance |
Location | Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France |
Address | Chateau 41250, Chambord, France |
Coordinates | 47°36′58″N 01°31′02″E |
Construction started | 1519 |
Completed | 1547 |
Height | 56 m (184 ft) |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Domenico da Cortona |
Structural engineer | Pierre Nepveu |
Website | |
Official site of the Chateau de Chambord | |
Official name | The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes, previously inscribed as Chateau and Estate of Chambord |
Type | Cultural |
Criteria | i, ii, vi |
Designated | 1981 (5th session) |
Reference no. | 933 |
Region | Europe |
Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I, who maintained his royal residences at the Château de Blois and Amboise. The original design of the château is attributed to the Tuscan architect Domenico da Cortona; Leonardo da Vinci may have also influenced the design.[1]
Chambord was altered considerably during the 28 years of its construction (1519–1547), during which it was overseen on-site by Pierre Neveu. With the château nearing completion, Francis showed off his enormous symbol of wealth and power by hosting his old archrival, Emperor Charles V, at Chambord.
In 1792, in the wake of the French Revolution, some of the furnishings were sold and timber removed. For a time the building was left abandoned, though in the 19th century some attempts were made at restoration. During the Second World War, art works from the collections of the Louvre and the Château de Compiègne were moved to the Château de Chambord. The château is now open to the public, receiving 700,000 visitors in 2007. Flooding in June 2016 damaged the grounds but not the château itself.