Imagine walking into a royal palace! The Royal Palace of Madrid is a stunning building that lets you experience the luxury of the Spanish royal family's life. For centuries, it's been the official home of the Spanish monarchs. Now, you can explore its grand rooms, see beautiful artwork, and feel the history of Spain's royal past
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain, but it's not where the royal family actually lives. Instead, the Royal Palace is used for important ceremonies and events.
Located in the heart of Madrid, the palace is a grand structure that spans 135,000 square meters and boasts an impressive 3,418 rooms, making it one of the largest royal palaces in the world.
A long time ago, there was a fortress called the Royal Alcázar on the same site where the Royal Palace stands today.
Over the years, many kings and queens made changes to the fortress, adding new buildings and decorations.
King Philip II hired artists from Italy, France, and the Netherlands to make big changes to the fortress. He built a special tower and an armory. Later, other kings and queens continued to make changes.
When King Philip V came to power, he thought the old fortress was too old-fashioned. He started making big changes, but then a fire happened on Christmas Eve in 1734.
This gave him a chance to tear down the old building and build a new palace that fit the style of the time.
The new palace was built to be safer, with stone and vaulted roofs, and less wood to prevent fires. The construction started in 1738 and took many years to finish.
The Royal Palace was designed by Filippo Juvara, a famous architect of his time. He wanted to build a massive palace with a big courtyard, inspired by the Louvre Palace in Paris.
When Juvara died suddenly, his student, Juan Bautista Sachetti, took over the project. Sachetti designed a square structure with a big courtyard and added some traditional Spanish features.
The palace's facade was decorated with many sculptures, designed by Father Sarmiento. The sculptures showed all the kings of Spain, from the Visigoths to the present day, as well as four Roman emperors.
These sculptures were made by many different artists, including Felipe de Castro and Juan Domingo Olivieri. They used limestone instead of marble to save money.
Over the years, the palace has undergone many changes and renovations. King Charles III removed many of the sculptures in 1760, and they were stored away.
Later, King Charles IV moved the main staircase, and King Ferdinand VII renovated the palace in the French style.
Also, Isabel de Braganza, helped start the Prado Museum by collecting many old paintings that were removed from the palace.
In the 19th century, King Alfonso XII tried to turn the palace into a Victorian-style residence. He replaced marble floors with parquet and added new furniture.
In the 20th century, the palace underwent restorations to repair damage from the Civil War and to reinstall decorative sets.
The Royal Palace's facade is made up of a base with a main body of the building, which is structured by large Doric columns.
The columns are decorated with windows and balconies. At the top of the building, there is a large balustrade with statues of Spanish kings, which was planned to give the palace a more classical look.
In 1973, the palace's facades were restored, and some sculptures were reinstalled. This allowed people to appreciate the original design by Sachetti.
The Italian architect had placed 14 vases and statues in the corners, including the statues of the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II and the Inca emperor Atahualpa.
The southern facade is special because it has a central body added above the balustrade, called an attic. The attic features statues of King Philip V and his wife, as well as King Ferdinand VI and his wife.
There are also three panels above the attic that originally showed the sun moving through the zodiac. However, only two panels remain, and the central panel was replaced with a clock.
The four emperor statues that originally flanked the main entrance were replaced with Tuscan columns that support a large balcony.
The statues were moved to the central courtyard, where they are now located.
Also, Juan Domingo Olivieri created many heraldic motifs, masks, and other allegorical figures that are located in less prominent places.
The Royal Palace has many impressive rooms and spaces, each with its own unique history and design.
The library is located in the northwest corner of the palace and has two floors. It houses over 300,000 books, 5,000 manuscripts, and many other historical documents.
This armory is one of the best in the world and features many historical pieces, including armor and swords used by Spanish monarchs throughout history.
The pharmacy was established during the reign of Philip II and was used to supply the royal family with medicines. It was later converted into a museum and features many old pharmacy equipment and artifacts.
The archive was created in 1814 to collect and preserve documents related to the royal family and the government of Spain.
The kitchens were built in 1737 and were renovated in 1861. They feature many old cooking equipment and utensils.
The staircase was designed by Sabatini in 1760 and features many impressive frescoes and sculptures. It was renovated during the reign of Charles IV.
This is one of the most beautiful rooms in the palace and features many impressive decorations, including a clock with automata.
The room was decorated during the reign of Charles III and features many beautiful porcelain plates and decorations.
The hall was originally designed as a ballroom, but was later converted into a hall for the guards who protected the palace. It features many impressive frescoes and sculptures.
This room features a beautiful order of columns and was used for dances and banquets during the reign of Elizabeth II. It is now used for concerts and other events.
The Gala Dining Room is a large space made up of three rooms that were originally designed for Queen Mary Amalia of Saxony. This room can seat up to 144 people and is used for formal banquets and events.
The Hall of Mirrors is a beautiful room that was originally designed as a dressing room for Queen Maria Luisa of Parma.
It features pink marble baseboards, white and blue stucco ornamentation, and large mirrors decorated in gold and blue.
The Throne Room is one of the most impressive rooms in the palace and has retained its original decoration since it was completed in 1772.
This room contains sculptures, clocks, and chandeliers made of rock crystal and silver.
The Royal Chapel is a beautiful space located in the center of the palace and features a central dome and a half-orange dome.
The Crown Room is a space that was renovated in 2014 to house the symbols of the constitutional monarchy.
The room features a crown and scepter belonging to the Royal Collections, which had never been exposed to the public before.
The Royal Palace of Madrid has a vast collection of art, including paintings, sculptures, and furniture.
The Palace has a set of Stradivarius instruments, including two violins, a viola, and a cello, which were acquired by Charles IV in 1775.
The Palace has a significant collection of paintings, including works by Goya, Velázquez, and Ribera.
The collection also includes portraits from the 15th and 16th centuries, including works by Corneille de Lyon and Michel Sittow.
The Palace has a smaller collection of sculptures, but it includes works by prominent sculptors such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Mariano Benlliure.
The Palace's furniture collection is significant, with pieces from the Rococo, neoclassical, empire, and Elizabethan styles.
The collection includes a "Table of the Sphinxes" in empire style, which is located in the Crown Hall.
The Palace has a large and impressive collection of watches, including Rococo watches built for Ferdinand VI by the Swiss watchmaker Jaquet-Droz.
The Palace has a collection of porcelains, including pieces from the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres and El Buen Retiro.
There you can see “Saleta de Porcelana”, which is completely coated with plates of porcelain.
The Royal Palace has a significant collection of tapestries, including clothes manufactured in Brussels in the 16th century and in the Royal Tapestry Factory of Madrid.
There you can see a collection of goldsmithing and silverware, including pieces from the Treasure of Guarrazar, of Visigothic authorship.
The royal crown and scepter are currently exhibited in the Crown Room.
The Royal Palace of Madrid has beautiful gardens that offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
These gardens are a popular destination for both visitors and locals, and are known for their stunning views.
These gardens are the best of the outdoor spaces of the Royal Palace. They were designed by Italian architect Francesco Sabatini in the 18th century and feature carefully trimmed hedges, fountains, and an impressive variety of sculptures.
This garden is located behind the Royal Palace and features a picturesque lake, a variety of trees, and well-kept hedges. It's a popular place for picnics, walking, and outdoor activities.
These formal gardens are located in front of the Royal Palace and feature symmetrical flowerbeds, well-trimmed hedges, and fountains.
This small but charming garden is located inside the Royal Palace and there you can explore the shaded garden paths, small ponds, and arranged flowerbeds.
This beautiful garden is also located inside the Royal Palace and features a mixture of formal and informal elements, such as trimmed hedges, fountains, and a small lake.
The Plaza del Palacio Real, or Plaza de la Armería, is a large square located in front of the Royal Palace. It offers a magnificent view of the large facade of the palace and houses various sculptures and fountains.
Note: the venue and lockers close 1 hour early.
To get to the Royal Palace of Madrid, you can find it at Plaza de Oriente in Madrid.
For general visitors, the entrance is located on the Almudena esplanade, while groups should access the palace through Bailén street.
You can take public transportation to get there, including bus lines 3, 25, 39, and 148, or take the underground lines 5 or 2 to the Opera station. Alternatively, you can take the commuter train to Príncipe Pío Station.
We highly recommend visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid for its stunning architecture and impressive art collection. The Royal Palace of Madrid is truly a breathtaking sight to behold, a must-see destination that will leave you in awe of its beauty and grandeur. Share your thoughts and experiences with us if you've visited or plan to visit!
