Royal Palace of Madrid: A Must-See Destination
If you're planning a trip to Madrid, one place you absolutely cannot miss is the Royal Palace of Spain, nestled right in the heart of the city.
The Royal Palace is a stunning example of architecture, known for its beauty and well-preserved state, making it one of the finest palaces in Europe. With a vast area spanning over 135,000 square meters, it holds centuries of Spanish history within its walls. It stands out as one of the few official residences of a head of state that is open to the public.
Each year, nearly 1.5 million visitors explore its hidden gems, admire the artwork, and discover the unique treasures it holds.
The Royal Palace Today
The Royal Palace of Madrid, like other Royal Sites managed by Patrimonio Nacional, is regularly used by the Royal Family. The Kings of Spain attend official events here. What's more, the Royal Palace of Madrid continues to be the official residence of the King of Spain, offering visitors a glimpse into a working palace.
The palace's origins date back to the 18th century, but it actually stands on the site of the old Alcázar of Madrid, a medieval fortress that was transformed into a palace. Philip II chose it as the official residence for the Spanish monarchs in 1561. The Alcázar, adorned with exquisite art from Spain's Golden Age, was destroyed by a fire on Christmas Eve in 1734.
It's said that members of Philip V's court, who were of French descent, set the fire so they could build a palace in the French or Versailles style. However, this is just a story, a legend.
To bring this grand project to life, King Philip V brought in the best European architect of the time, Filippo Juvarra, but he couldn't finish the project, which was typical back then, as construction took many years. Juvarra's student, Giambattista Sacchetti, took over the ambitious plans.
The entire building was designed with vaults and no wooden structures, which would help to preserve much of the Palace in the event of a fire. It had multiple floors to accommodate government offices, royal offices, and servants. It was built to represent absolute power.
The first stone was laid in 1738, and construction wasn't completed until 1751. The sculptural decorations and "external works" continued until 1759, always under the direction of Sacchetti, who oversaw the whole project with dedication from beginning to end. However, his project was later changed by Francisco Sabatini, the architect of Charles III, the first king to live in the Royal Palace, who moved in in 1764.
Charles III and the First Court in the Palace
During the reign of Charles III, the Royal Palace of Madrid experienced its most glorious period, embracing an Italian style. The era saw the arrival of prominent artists to decorate the residence: Venetian painter Giambattista Tiepolo and German painter Antonio Rafael Mengs, who was trained in Rome and became his first court painter. The series of frescoes painted by these masters in the main rooms is one of the residence's most notable features. However, both Charles III and his son, Charles IV, only lived here for eight weeks each year: in December, Holy Week, and part of July. They spent the rest of the year at other Royal Sites like El Escorial, Aranjuez, and La Granja.
Treasures to Discover in the Royal Palace
The Palace's style reflects the tastes of the monarchs who lived there.
The rooms of King Charles III, including those of the Enlightenment king, are among the most important in Madrid, and retain the original decoration designed by Sabatini throughout the main floor.
The Throne Room and the Gasparini Room exemplify the tastes of Charles III, reflecting the most extravagant Italian Rococo style. Charles IV was responsible for the neoclassical collections and French furnishings, while Fernando VII introduced the collection of large French chandeliers made of bronze and crystal. The last decorative refurbishment, corresponding to the present historical context, was carried out by Alfonso XII in 1879.
Along the east facade, you'll find the rooms of Charles IV and Maria Luisa, where successive monarchs lived until 1931.
The Royal Armoury, one of Europe's most significant collections, along with the collection in Vienna, belonged to the Habsburgs. Philip II installed it next to the Alcázar, and it was moved to its present location in 1891. It is undoubtedly one of the best-preserved treasures and one of the most visited rooms.
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