Famous English House - Luton Hoo

LUTON HOO - BEDFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND

Luton Hoo is a famous house in the border between the towns of Harpenden and Luton, Bedfordshire. “Hoo” is Saxon word means the spur of a hill. It is a manor house and was occupied by a family called de Hoo for four hundred year until the death of Lord David Hoo in 1455. The house was then occupied by many Someries families (family Rotherham and family Napier).

In 1762 Francis Hearne sold the estate to John Stuart, 3^rd Earl of Bute. The house was then rebuilt by neoclassical architect Robert Adam, during the renovation work a fire accident took place and the house remained incomplete. In the 19^th century Robert Adam’s completed mansion was transformed by architect Robert Smirke, a leading architect of the era. In 1843 a devastating fire accident occurred and the historic house was destroyed. 3rd Earl's grandson, the 2nd Marquess of Bute the occupant during the fire accident sold the house to John Leigh in 1848. Leigh rebuilt the house in the style of Smikre.

FULL VIEW OF LUTON HOO ESTATE

In 1903 the estate was sold to Sir Julius Wernher a leading diamond mine owner in South Africa. He then remodeled this famous house by the architects of the Ritz Hotel, Charles Mewes and Authur Davies. Mansard roofs were added to increase the amount of staff accommodation. Casement windows, marble walled dining room, Bergonzoli’s statue were added to the house by Sir Julius Wernher. After the death of Sir Julius, his wife late Lady Ludlow added her collection of English porcelain to the treasure of the house.

INTERIOR OF LUTON HOO HOTEL

Now, a part of the Luton Hoo Estate, the mansion house has been concerted in to a luxury hotel known as the Luton Hoo Hotel. It was opened on 1st October 2007 with 144 bedrooms, golf course and Spa.

 

For more information about famous and historic houses around the world visit: House Information.

Argentina’s historic mansion – Villa Hortensia

VILLA HORTENSIA - ARGENTINA

Villa Hortensia is one of the famous and historic mansion house in the city of Rosario, Argentina. It was constructed back in 1890 by an architected named Boyd Walker for the founder of Alberdi, Jose Nicolas Puccio. This traditional house was then sold to Ciro Echesortu and then to Alferdo Rouillon, his wife name was Maria Hortensia Echesortu (from whom the house was named). The Rouillon’s family used it as a summer residence as the house is near to Parana River and surrounded by gardens.



In1989 this house was declared as a National Historic Monument. Before that the maintenance of the mansion was neglected and was under a serious threat of being condemned. The Municipality of Rosario acquired the villa on 30 May 1996 in order to transform it into an administrative center. Official decentralization plan was the reason behind this acquisition. Villa Hortensia was renovated with its original plan and materials and was reopened on 13 October 1997 as the first Municipal District Center.

Now the Municipal district center consists of a citizen assistance office, a delegation of the Municipal Bank of Rosario, a Marriage office and offices of the water, natural gas and power companies.

St. George El Mina Castle - The Gold Coast

ELMINA CASTLE - GHANA

Elmina Castle is one of the oldest and historic castle in Ghana. It was built in 1482 as San Jorge Mina by Portugal King Afonso V. It is also known as the Gold Coast. This Oldest European house is below the Sahara and was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea. The castle became one of the major stops on the route of the Atlantic slave trade.

In 1637 the Dutch seized the Portuguese gold Coast and the fort from the Portuguese and they continued the slave trade until 1814. In 1871 the British Empire captured the Dutch Gold Coast and the fort.

The British granted independence to the Gold coast in 1957 and control of the castle transfer to the nation formed out of the colony. UNESCO recognized the castle as a World Heritage site. Now it is one of the most famous and historical house in African Continent. It is also one the major filming location.

The Elmina castle was expansively renovated by the Ghanaian government in the 1990s. The bridge leading into the castle is one of the highest precedence tasks in the project. 

For More Information about the famous and historic houses around the world visit: House Information .

The Incredible City of Fatehpur Sikri - India

FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA, INDIA

Fatehpur Sikri is a famous city in Agra district in Uttar Pradesh state, India. It also has some famous house and a historical place built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1570 in the honor of Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti. It was originally named historical city of Fatehabad and later renamed as Fatehpur Sikri by Akbar’s son and successor Emperor Jahangir.

The building was constructed in Mughal architecture, a combination of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture. It was the first city of the Mughals and was Mughal’s capital from1571 and 1585.

Fatehpur Sikri is 3 km long and 1 km wide. The Palace city is is surrounded by 11 km wall on three sides and the fourth side is covered by a lake. Tuhir Das was the architect of this renowned palace.  It was constructed using Red Sandstone known as Sikri sandstone. It is accesses through various famous gates namely Delhi gate, the Lal gate, the Agra gate, Birbal’s gate, Chandanpaul gate, the Gwalior gate and the Chor gate.

 Important Buildings in the city are:

Ø  Buland Darwaza – The famous 54 meter high gate.

Ø  Jama Masjid – Famous Islamic Mosque.

Ø  Tomb of Salim Chisti – A White marble tomb of the Sufi saint.

Ø  Diwan-i-Am  – A Hall of Public Audience.

Ø  Diwan-i-Khas   - A Hall of Private Audience.

Ø  Ibadat Khana – House of Worship.

Ø  Anup Talao – An Ornamental Pool.

Ø  Hujra-i-Anup Talao - The Residence of Akbar’s wife.

Ø  Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace – The Building of Akbar’s Wife.

Ø  Naubat Khana – Drum House.

Ø  Pachisi Court – Playing area for board games.

Ø  Panch Mahal – A five storied palatial structure.

Ø  Birbal’s House – The House of Akbar’s favorite Minister.

Fatehpur Sikri was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and now it is a popular tourist attraction site in India.