Julian Palace
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| Julian Palace | |
|---|---|
Palatium Julii | |
 Exterior of the "Caroline Hall" of the Julian Palace | |
| General information | |
| Location | Urceopolis, Archduchy of Urceopolis |
| Country | Urcea |
| Named for | Julian dynasty |
| Construction started | ca. 500 AD |
| Renovated |
|
| Owner | Government of Urcea |
| Known for | Official residence of the Apostolic King of Urcea Seat of the Government of Urcea |
The Julian Palace is a complex of buildings which serves as the royal residence and the primary seat of the Government of Urcea. The structure - a sprawling, extensive series of connected buildings built over time - contains the treasury of the Julian Throne and Crown Jewels of Urcea, as well as the throne room, royal apartments, chambers for both the Concilium Purpaidá and Concilium Daoni, in addition to office space for leadership of both councils, including offices for the Procurator and Chancellor and Temporary President. While the Julian Palace is nominally the official royal residence of the Apostolic King of Urcea, the King and his courtiers primarily reside in Castle Welute outside of the city of Urceopolis proper.
History
The Julian Palace began life in the early 6th century as a relatively large home of the Julii called the Domus Julii. With the fall of Great Levantia, the custom of noble families in Urceopolis had evolved to building relatively large urban estates that could be fortified. Though not especially politically influential, the Julii began construction on their large fortified manor, which was completed by 515. Levantine contemporaries note that the Domus Julii was far larger and more impressive than that of the Brutonii and Neronii, despite the power held by those families. Despite its size, the distance from the Forum attests to the political and social status of the Julii at the time. This earliest portion of the Domus Julii has been entirely subsumed by later additions to the structure, although walls and foundations of this house were found in 20th century archaeological digs.
The fortunes of the Julii did not change with the organization of the Duchy of Urceopolis in the 640s. The major reversal of fortunes came as a prominent son of the family, Gaius Julius Cicurinus won fame on the battlefield on behalf of the Latin League against Hištanšahr, and, in 749, Julius was elected Dux of Urceopolis. Living and doing business in the Domus Julii, the complex began to be an important center of Urceopolitan civic life. With the advent of the Levantine Empire and elevation of the Julii to hereditary control over the newfound Archduchy of Urceopolis, the Domus Julii became the focal point of political power and the home of the hereditary Archdukes of Urceopolis. Accordingly, the first Archduke began a major renovation of the Domus Julii in 791. The renovation transformed the building from the reserved mansion of Late Antiquity to a towering Levanesque building based on the recently constructed Imperial Palace in Corcra. It was completed in 804, after the death of Archduke Julius, who would soon become known to history as Saint Julius I. The Domus Julii became increasingly known as the Palatium Julii, the Julian Palace, as its position as home of the hereditary ruling Archduke was solidified.
Renovations and evolution
Interior
Throne room and royal residence
The throne room also hosts the annual Presentation of the Debutantes.