Apsley House, London

Apsley House, designed by the architect Robert Adam during the 1770s, came into the possession of the Duke of Wellington just two years after his historic victory over Napoléon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Initially recognized as "Number One, London" due to its position as the first mansion near the old tollgate from Knightsbridge village, this regal residence of the Iron Duke remains a splendid sight to this day. Wellington's triumph over the French catapulted him to the pinnacle of both military and political leadership in the country, and he lived here until his passing in 1852.

As one might anticipate, the mansion boasts an extensive collection of military uniforms and weaponry on display; however, it also serves as a repository for a renowned art collection, much of which once belonged to Joseph Bonaparte, the former King of Spain and older sibling of Napoléon. The collection encompasses works by acclaimed artists like Brueghel, van Dyck, Rubens, as well as Spanish masters Velázquez and Murillo, featuring Velázquez's famous portrait of Pope Innocent X. Furthermore, there's a portrait by Goya depicting the Duke on horseback.

As you ascend the majestic central staircase, you'll be met by an imposing 11-foot (3.3 meters)-tall statue of a clothed (fig-leafed) Napoléon. This statue, taken from the Louvre, was presented as a gift to Wellington by the grateful British government in 1816.