Great Houses of Europe: From the Archives of Country Life

Great Houses of Europe emerges from a quest to find the best houses on the continent. Linked by the survival of their magnificent exteriors and interiors—spectacular plasterwork; original wallpapers, fabrics, and furniture; and in tact art collections—these 25 houses include feudal castles, royal summer palaces, hunting lodges, and pleasure pavilions, often set in equally fine gardens and parks. This volume presents 200 masterful images by Country Life photographer Alex Starkey, while Marcus Binney’s narrative offers revealing insights into the history of these remarkable houses. From the dramatic Swedish post-Renaissance Castle Stokloster—with arguably the finest interiors in Europe—to the extraordinary Villa Kerylos on the French Riviera and the Venetian Palazzo Abruzzi, Great Houses of Europe offers a vivid portrait of a rich architectural heritage.