Question
Here is the question : WHICH FAMOUS MUSEUM ORIGINALLY BEGAN AS A FORTRESS?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- The Louvre
- The Met
- Rijksmuseum
- Museo Nacional de Antropología
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
The Louvre Museum has an interesting background that goes beyond its current function as a repository for rare artworks and artifacts. Around the year 1200, Phillip II, the first legitimate King of France, constructed a fortified stronghold there. The fort was situated on the Seine riverbank, at what was then the westernmost point of Paris. The strong bastions, central tower (soaring 98 feet), and surrounding moat of this fortress were built with the north in mind. By the 14th century, however, Paris had grown well beyond the fortress’s defensive boundary, and it was no longer necessary. Visitors to the museum can witness some of the original fortress’s medieval stonework, which dates back to the 13th century, in the Salle Basse, the museum’s lower hall.
The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year. However, many people may not be aware that the Louvre’s history began as a fortress. The transformation of the Louvre from a military stronghold to a world-renowned museum is a fascinating story that spans centuries.
The Louvre fortress was built in the late 12th century during the reign of King Philip II of France. It was constructed to protect Paris from potential attacks by the English, who controlled large parts of France at the time. The fortress was a massive structure, with walls that were 12 feet thick in some places and a moat that was 20 feet deep. Over the years, the fortress was expanded and reinforced, but it remained primarily a defensive structure.
In 1546, King Francis I of France decided to turn the Louvre fortress into a palace. He commissioned the architect Pierre Lescot to design a new building that would incorporate the existing fortress. The result was a magnificent Renaissance palace that featured elegant courtyards, grand staircases, and ornate decorations. The palace was designed to be a symbol of the power and prestige of the French monarchy.
The Louvre palace continued to be expanded and renovated over the years. In the 17th and 18th centuries, additional wings were added to the palace, and it became a center of cultural and artistic activity. The French royal family used the Louvre as a residence until the French Revolution in 1789, when the palace was seized by the revolutionary government.
In 1793, the Louvre was officially opened to the public as a museum. The first collection consisted of 537 paintings that had been confiscated from the royal collections and from churches and nobles who had fled France during the Revolution. Over the years, the collection grew rapidly, and today the Louvre is home to more than 38,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
The Louvre’s transformation from a fortress to a palace to a museum is a testament to the changing priorities and values of French society over the centuries. What began as a defensive structure designed to protect the city of Paris became a symbol of royal power and prestige, and ultimately a repository of some of the world’s greatest works of art. Today, the Louvre is not only a museum but also a cultural institution that embodies the rich history and artistic traditions of France.