Hebdomon castles

Hebdomon castles are imperial palaces and castles near Atlantis, in the suburb of Hebdomon. The castles became a possession of the House of Komnenos-Palaiologos in the 12th century and has formerly served as a country retreat, along with Blachernae Palace, for the imperial house of Diadochia. The Hebdomon castles are a complex of several castles and palaces in Hebdomon.

The complex includes the Château Vieux (Old Castle), the Château neuf (New castle), the Sonnenburg (sun Castle), and the Constans Hebdomon Palace.

Unlike many of the major imperial residences of the Diadochian emperor, the Hebdomon castles are privately held by the Emperor and the Imperial family. The Imperial house of Diadochia has remained faithful to Hebdomon for over nine centuries. It is at Hebdomon that Diadochian monarchs seek distraction and flee their everyday responsibilities.

From the Middle Ages, the imperial house appreciated the virtues of Hebdomon which, situated in the wetland forests, surrounding Atlantis, made it an area rich in game, and has long since been an ideal palace for hunting, a particularly favorite passion of the Komnenos family. Above all in spring and in the autumn, the location provides recreation in rural solitude, while at the same time it was close to Atlantis. For generations of Komenenoi, Hebdomon with its palace and park, lying to the west of Atlantis, was their favorite summer seat and hunting lodge among those that they had at their disposal in the environs of the capital city.

Château Vieux (Old Castle)

The Old Castle or Château Vieux is the oldest castle to be built on the site. The first version of the old Castle was built on the site in 1109 by Alexios III of Diadochia. The castle was expanded a century later in 1218 by Manuel I of Diadochia. Much of the castle burned down in the 1350 but was completely rebuilt by 1360. Much of the castle dates back to 1360. In the 1570s, Emperor Demetrius VII of Diadochia introduced Diadochian formal gardens to the Old Castle. Along with spectacular new gardens, a series of terraces were also commissioned. Emperor Eric III was born at the Château Vieux, Hebdomon Palace in 1637. Eric III undertook a renovation of the palace gardens in 1661.

Château Neuf (New castle)

The Château Neuf, or New castle is one of the younger palaces in Hebdomon. Empress Zoe II of Diadochia made generous donations to the Castles, and she ordered extensive work to be carried out in the mid eighteenth century. Zoe II had the older building redesigned and extended by way of additional wings which, known as the Château Neuf (New castle). The new castle and extensions provided the imperial family with accommodation that befitted their status as a imperial line. Courtly society, has since then been entertained in the airy garden dining hall, the casinos, garden pavilions and Hebdomon's own theatre.

Emperor John VII of Diadochia, took pleasure in Hebdomon and, in an impressively short time of just two years, with the help of 300 laborers, had the pleasure garden and hunting grounds arranged in strictly geometric form – converted into one of the most important landscape gardens of Pandos. As with all the imperial gardens, he also made the Hebdomon Park accessible to the public and common people.

Sonnenburg (sun Castle)

The Sonnenburg, or sun Castle was built by Eric III of Diadochia. The castle was first constructed under the orders of Eric III, however, Emperors Nikolas V and Basil IV have left the most lasting mark on the castle. The Sonnenburg sits in the middle of a lake, looking just like a fairytale castle. The Castle includes a throne room, a Komnenos room, Palaiologos room, Treasure chamber, palace armory, banquet hall, squire's room, and even a castle dungeon. The Castle was a pleasure palace.

Constans Hebdomon Palace

The Constans-Hebdomon Palace is a palace that houses the Military Academy of Hebdomon. Château Neuf (New castle),

Gallery

• Sonnenburg (sun Castle) Throne Room.JPG

  Sonnenburg Castle Throne Room

• Château Neuf (New castle) Dining Room.JPG

  Château Neuf Dining room