Rococo architecture 

The wings of the Palácio de Mateus in Vila Real, Portugal, draw attention to the striking central façade, where a meticulously orchestrated array of turrets, chimneys, and statues creates a dramatic visual spectacle.

The Zwinger is a unique building in Europe, blending elements of a pleasure garden, theater, and art gallery. Though it was clearly designed for courtly entertainment, its architecture defies precise classification. It is an astonishingly elaborate creation, merging Baroque and the emerging Rococo styles, where architecture and sculpture seamlessly blend and fuse into one remarkable work of art.

The palace was commissioned by Tsarina Elizabeth and named after her mother, Catherine I. While incorporating elements of an earlier structure, its exterior is a true example of Rococo at its most imposing. The main garden façade features a carefully orchestrated, rhythmic arrangement of pedimented bays. The central three bays stand out with a white rusticated base and an ornate balcony supported by four pairs of double columns. To arrive in style, a broad stairway flanked by statues leads up to the vibrantly colored garden façade, enhancing the palace’s grandeur.