Ataceris: Difference between revisions

'''The Ataceris''' is the official residence and principal workplace of the [[Imperator]] of the [[Caphiria|Imperium of Caphiria]]. Located in [[Venceia]], it has been the residence of every [[Imperator]] since Caesar Magnus Magnus ordered its construction in the late 17th century. The Ataceris is not a single building but is a massive complex consisting of two baroque-styled palaces - the [[The Ataceris#Upper%20Ataceris|Upper Ataceris]] and the [[The Ataceris#Lower%20Ataceris|Lower Ataceris]] - as well as the [[The Ataceris#Palace%20Stables|Palace Stables]], [[The Ataceris#Conservatory|Conservatory]], [[The Ataceris#Palace%20Gardens|three gardens]], and an [[The Ataceris#Gallery|art gallery]].

The idea for the Ataceris complex was originally created by Caesar Marius in the early 15th century but construction was never officially started. Less than two years after Caesar Marius had the idea, the Imperium was thrust into the Second Civil War. The land that the Ataceris was supposed to be built on became a central location in the civil war and it would be almost three centuries later before construction was officially started by Caesar Magnus Magnus. Beginning in 1695, The Ataceris was built during a period of extensive construction in the Imperium, during the height of the Latinic Renaissance. This period was marked by a period of great cultural change and achievement, notably in architecture and art. The complex was to inaugurate a new era in Caphiria following the events after the Civil War.

 

It would be nearly two centuries later, near the end of the 17th century when Caesar Magnus Magnus would re-imagine Marius' idea into his own. The Capiric Renaissance was in full swing, a period marked by great cultural change and achievement, notably in architecture and art. Famed Dominate-era architect Austulus Colus Mancissimus, who was known for his style that used contrast, movement, exuberant detail, deep color, grandeur and surprise to achieve a sense of awe, was commissioned to design the imperial palace. After going back and forth with Caesar Magnus Magnus on various designs and sketches, they finally settled on a design: the duplici regiae, double palace; the lower palace would serve as the personal residence for the Imperator while the upper palace would be his workplace and official seat of power of the Imperator.

 

The construction of the Lower palace took place between 1625 and 1650 and was so far advanced by 1637 that the Caesar was able to receive the Urcean king there. The decoration of the interior started as early as 1629. In 1640, he commissioned the Latinic painter Macrocus Solimena to execute both the altarpiece for the Palace Chapel and the ceiling fresco in the Golden Room. In the same year, Comanuel Spercus was commissioned to execute the illusionistic quadratura painting in the Marble Hall.

The plan to build the Upper palace in its present form replaced the original idea of a gloriette “with a beautiful view over the city”. Construction took place between 1627 and 1633. The building was completed in 1633, however the concert hall was at risk of collapsing due to structural problems. Mancissimus was forced to install a vaulted ceiling supported by four Atlas pillars, giving the room its current appearance. The Upper palace was finished in 1638.

Various additions and modifications would occur over the next several years, and the entire complex was deemed complete in 1658. Two major renovations have occurred in the time since: the most extensive was in 1889 and the most recent was in 1934.

The upper palace serves as the principal workplace and seat of power for the Imperator. It contains seven major wings (''artuli''), each serving a dedicated function for the Imperator's many roles. Each wing may contain anywhere from a few to a dozen or more rooms.

''Artulus I'' is dedicated for formal dances, large receptions, press conferences, ceremonies, concerts, and banquets. The Press Briefing Room is also here. It is the largest of all of the seven wings and is the only wing that the public press is allowed to visit freely. Artulus II is used for smaller receptions and teas. During a state dinner, guests are served cocktails in one of the three parlors in this wing before the Imperator, his wife, and a visiting head of state descend the Grand Staircase for dinner.

''Artulus III'' contains the [[Office of the Imperium]] and serves as the heart of executive power in Caphiria. Here, the Prime Minister of Caphiria leads the various Ministries of Caphiria and various non-magisterial officials. This wing also contains the Imperator's personal and private offices, the Imperial Study, and offices for his many assistants and delegates. The Situation Room is also located here. Artulus IV contains the Private and Personal Dining Rooms, used for smaller, more private meals than those served in Artulus I. In addition to the two dining rooms, the Imperator has his own personal kitchen with a dumbwaiter connected to the main kitchen on the ground floor. It also has a broad hallway for receiving lines and serves as a connector to various public and private rooms.

''Artulus V'' contains various rooms such as a reception room for foreign ambassadors to present their credentials, the Portraits room where all of the portraits of past Imperators are, the Library, the Curation room, the Treasury Rooms, which contains a valuable collection of secular and ecclesiastical treasures covering over a thousand years of Caphiric and Latin history, and about a dozen more rooms. ''Artulus VI'' includes the Room of Records, the correspondence office, the calligraphy office, the Imperial Theater, treaty room, and Map Room.

 

The final wing, ''Artulus VII'' contains an assortment of rooms and amenities such as the Linen Room, Music Room, Sun Room, Gym, public theater, and public library. This wing also has ten full guest suites and 8 bedrooms for any staff or guests to use. There are also four sitting rooms and studies, as well as having an underground bunker to be used in emergencies. This wing also contains additional office space for miscellaneous use.

 

The complex contains over 150 rooms over three stories, 54 of which are bedrooms. There are also 50 bathrooms, 35 fireplaces, eighteen staircases, and three elevators.

 

In addition to serving as the primary living quarters of the Imperator and his family, a portion of the complex has been converted for public viewing, complete with a museum that features the private imperial collection of art. Some of this is displayed in the Marble Gallery and the Hall of Stone, which features larger-than-life marble statues depicting famous historical events and meticulously crafted busts of some of history's most important people.

 

After the death of Caesar Magnus Magnus, the fruit trees were transferred to a secondary location and the original was converted into stables. A false ceiling was installed in 1805 and the original sliding roof was replaced. After 1918, the building housed parts of the armory for the Praetorian Guard; from 1953 to 2007 it was the Museum of Medieval Art. In 2007, the architect Susanne Zottl designed a modern, white cube exhibition space in the Conservatory.

 

 

There are works by prominent masters, such as Friedilo Pachervini, and many by anonymous painters and sculptors. At the Palace Stables, study exhibitions are regularly staged that focus on a single object or ensemble and revolve around the museum’s core roles of conservation and research.

 

 

Although in the eighteenth century the park was primarily a stage for strolls, perambulation and conversation, it was also a striking presentation of the Imperator’s power, wisdom, and wealth. Linking the Lower and Upper complexes, the main garden is divided into three large terraces and comprises all the fundamental components of a Baroque park, such as symmetrical parterres of flowers, basins, tiers, steps, clipped hedges, and much more besides.

 

 

Another significant section of the palatial gardens is the ''Alpinahortorum'', known as the Alpine gardens, which houses the valuable historical collection of Alpine plants. Originally established as a collection by famed botanist DUG THE GUG in 1803, it would be transferred into the ownership of the state in 1874 for conservation purposes. It is open to the public during peak flowering seasons and special attractions are the rhododendrons that start blooming in April and the collection of Sempervivum with roughly 300 varieties, as well as over 100 variations of Audonian Bonsai.

Its great water basin in the upper parterre and the stairs and cascades peopled by nymphs and goddesses that links upper and lower parterres survive, but the patterned bedding has long been grassed over; it is currently being restored.

Part of the reasoning in The Ataceris consisting of two separate palaces was the ability to enable part of the complex to be open to the public from the start. Throughout history, Imperators have had held an annual open house at the Upper Ataceris. This tradition has continued throughout modernity, and with a portion of The Ataceris having been converted into a museum and the gardens being open to the public, most Imperators have permitted public tours of the Lower palace, which have continued ever since, except during wartime, and began the tradition of annual receptions on New Year's Day.

Because of the highly public nature of The Ataceris, the complex is protected by many layers of security. The complex has its own dedicated 24-hour security team in addition to the presence of the Praetorian Guard, 24 Lictors (imperial bodyguards), and the headquarters of the Imperial Police Force is less than five minutes away. The Ataceris is also protected by the Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (ASAM) of the Caphirian Air Force.