Louvre Museum History

The most famous museum of the world begun its construction in 1546 when Francis I was the king of France. As long as years go by the different kings had been making some changes.
In the XVII century, when Henry IV had the power, the Grande Gallery was finished and when Napoleon III became emperor he added a northern part.
Only in the middle of the XIX century the construction was finished. In 1793 it was inaugurated as a public museum and in 1848 the state took control of it. The northern part of the Louvre was tuned into an exposition saloon. The second part of the construction plan that included an auditorium, a crystal pyramid, expositions about the Louvre history, galleries, the excavation of holes, restaurants, shops and parking places, finished.

The Louvre was originated in 1190 when it was built as a fort for the king Philippe August. Some time later, when Francis I had the power it was demolished to build a much bigger piece: a Renaissance Palace built by P. Lescot.
In the year 1595 Henry IV had a smart idea. He wanted to join it with the Tullerias Castle. From that moment on, every successor continued enlarging it.
Only when it was the turn of Napoleon III the project was completely. Many squares had to be demolished to create a close patio named Carrousel Patio, where the Napoleon Arch is located.

Such a hard work was a couple of years spoiled when a fire caused by popular chaos destroyed the Tullerias Palace.
The last intervention in the Louvre was to reconstruct the crystal pyramid under the decision of president F.Miterrand.
From the very beginnings the Louvre was the chosen place for sovereigns to save their treasures (jewellery, books, masterpieces, etc).
Nowadays it is visited for tourists all over the world and known as the great universal encyclopedic museum.