The
structure, containing 440 rooms, 365 fireplace, 13 great staircases, and stables
to accommodate 1200 horses, stands in a park surrounded by a wall of 22 miles
in circumference. 1800 men worked on the chateau.The
structure, containing 440 rooms, 365 fireplace, 13 great staircases, and stables
to accommodate 1200 horses, stands in a park surrounded by a wall of 22 miles
in circumference. 1800 men worked on the chateau.
The staircase is related to a project by Leonardo which consisted of four distinct superimposed flights of stairs, in order words, just as many stairs as quarters and arms of the cross of the castle. It is therefore likely that Leonardo da Vinci staircase, which may have been conceived for Chambord, was then simplified when it was built by the master masons of the building yard.
After having passed through other hands, the chateau risked being demolished after the Revolution and in 1793 the furnishings were dispersed. In 1947 the State began restorations which were continued for 30 years.
While
visiting Chambord you will also discover its park, that is
one of Europe's finest. The park of the Chambord chateau covers 5,440 hectares,
and is Europe's largest wooded park. During the 16th century, the kings
of France came to Chambord mainly to hunt with hounds. Many types of
trees can be found there: oaks, Scotch pines, chestnut, willow, hawthorn,
alder, hornbeam, aspen and many fruit trees...Declared a national nature
preserve in 1947, the park is also a laboratory for the study of large animals.
Many types of protected birds can be found there, together with boar
and many cervidae, especially deer.
Contents:
extract from www.lvo.com; www.castles.org/
photos: Main facade of the chateau ŠNRCO - Deer ŠNRCO-GP