Placearama

On the fringes of the formidable Thar Desert lies the Neemrana Fort Palace hotel, India’s oldest heritage hotel. Built in 1464, this was the 3rd capital of the descendants of Prithivraj Chauhan III (A famous ruler killed in a battle with the invader Muhammad Ghori in 1192). Neemrana stands on a hill in ten levels, and is an imposing combination of whaleback roofs, jharokhas (carved windows), jaalis (stone filigree screens), and balconies.  A ruin till it was renovated by French experts in the 1990s, Neemrana blends medieval and modern, East and West. The rooms, each one unique, are scattered across the entire palace.    [text source: igougo.com]

More info at Wikipedia.    Also, a nice slideshow of the renovation of the hotel (in 1991) is locatated at archnet.org.

The hotel’s main site (for more information or for bookings) is here.

Credit:  Niels J. Hoffmeyer Source:  panoramio.com

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The Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon) is located on the shore of Lake Geneva, at the eastern end of the lake, near Montreux, Switzerland. The castle consists of 100 independent buildings that were gradually connected and now form a single whole.

The oldest parts of the castle have not been definitively dated, but the first written record of the castle is in 1160 or 1005.   From the mid 12th century, the castle was home to the Counts of Savoy, and it was greatly expanded in the 13th century by Pietro II.  The Castle was never taken in a siege, but did change hands through treaties.   (from Wikipedia)

Tours are available and the Castle is also available for special functions (see their official site).

Credit:  mairabc Source:  flickr.com

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The California Academy of Sciences is one of the ten largest museums of natural history in the World. Remodeled in 2008, it is also one of the newest in the United States.  It is located in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California, USA. (Wikipedia Article)

Credit: Tim Griffith Source:  archdaily.com

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