Stowe House, Neoclassical country house in Stowe, England.
Stowe House is a neoclassical country house in Stowe, England, with a south facade measuring 460 feet (140 meters) and Corinthian pilasters framing the main entrance. The building now serves as a school and museum with preserved state rooms, a large entrance hall, and ornate ceiling decorations across several floors.
The Temple family rebuilt a medieval manor house into a large estate between 1677 and 1779, hiring architects such as John Vanbrugh and William Kent for the work. Further changes followed in the 19th century before the building became a school in 1923.
The name Stowe comes from an Old English word meaning holy place, reflected in the quiet setting of the estate today. Visitors walk through rooms with marble columns and wood paneling that show the taste of 18th-century English aristocrats.
Guided tours show the public rooms and collections, with some areas accessible only at certain times because of the school use. The tour includes several floors with stairs, so visitors should allow enough time and walking ability.
The Marble Saloon takes the Roman Pantheon as its model and shows a high dome with skylight, surrounded by imported columns. William Kent's ceiling painting in the North Hall depicts ancient deities and connects painting with the architectural space.
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