Megálo Paláti
The Megálo Paláti, or the Grand Palace, serves as the current official residence of the Basileus of Constancia. It was built from 1667 AN to 1669 AN, commissioned by the government of Constancia upon making Astérapolis the capital of the country after the Second Euran War. The palace is built in the Genevan Imperial style and sits at 1,194 ft above sea level. Built on the site of a former monastery, the palace sits next to the Basilica on the Rock, the largest church of the Patriarchal Orthodox Faith in the city. The Palace, much like the Basilica, is partially carved from the rock of the mountain which gives the buildings located on the mountain their sandy appearance. The Palace is just one of ten buildings to be constructed in this way and all are connected by underground staircases which lead down into the centre of the mountain which houses both the Royal Crypt, where members of the Basileus' family are laid to rest and where the jewels of the Basileus and the State are kept.
Uses
The Palace is has served as the official residence of the Basileus of Constancia and the Constancian royal family. It also houses important offices for the staff of the Basileus' Household, offices for government liaisons, and government security facilities. The palace's Imperial Room is regularly used for impressive ceremonies and audiences by the Basileus and the Autokrator of Constancia. The Imperial Room is modeled after the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Wesloderia in Geneva, Alexandria. The views from the Imperial Room's gilded stained windows, carved from the face of the mountain the Palace is built into, of the Gulf of Aqaba are said to be incredible.
