As imposing a castle as any in the region, this one is tall, wide, and ornate. Its details convey a sense of wealth to visitors long before they are greeted at the door. However, some parts of its ornamentation have the opposite effect. The domes serve their function well enough, but separated from the main structure as they are in cupolas, they appear as spheres hovering over the body of the castle, and the whole affair gives the impression of a mad scientist's lair. Of course, this was the domain of kings, not scientists, but some did consider Frances I mad, and felt this edifice proved it. Later researchers would conclude he was a megalomaniac, but being a King can do that to you. Still, other kings like Louis XIV and Charles V spent time here . Other residents included the King of Poland Stanislas Leczcinski when he was in exile, the dukes or Orleans, and two Marshals of France. Leonardo da Vinci also left his mark here when he visited while it was still being built. Chambord's unusual double-helix staircase is attributed to him. That was a nice touch, but though construction ended during the reign of Louis XIV, it was never quite finished. The castle gets its shape because it is essentially a square with an interior courtyard, and round towers surrounding the exterior. This serves both a decorative and defensive purpose, giving attackers few ways to sneak up on the building. That planning didn't help when the Revolution came. The place was a natural target, and in 1789 was sacked. It passed into the private hands of France's new aristocracy and was eventually nationalized in the 1930's.