Royal Palace of Madrid

Palacio Real de Madrid Julio 2016 (cropped)

Royal Palace of Madrid
Palacio Real de Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid
General information
Location	Madrid, Spain
Coordinates	40°25′0″N 3°42′0″W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.
Current tenants	Spanish Royal Family
Construction started	1738
Completed	1755
Owner	Spanish State
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Filippo Juvarra, Giovanni Battista Sacchetti

The Royal Palace of Madrid (Spanish: Palacio Real de Madrid ) is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in Madrid, although it is now only used for state ceremonies. The palace is owned by the Spanish State and administered by the Patrimonio Nacional.

History

The site of the Royal Palace was originally occupied by a Moorish castle, which was later transformed into the Alcázar of Madrid. The Alcázar was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve 1734, and King Philip V ordered the construction of a new palace on the same site. The construction began in 1738 and was completed in 1755. The palace was designed by the Italian architects Filippo Juvarra and Giovanni Battista Sacchetti.

Architecture

The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the largest palaces in Europe, with a floor area of 135,000 square meters and containing 3,418 rooms. The architectural style of the palace is predominantly Baroque, with influences from Neoclassical design. The palace features a grand staircase, the Throne Room, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel.

Interior

The interior of the Royal Palace is richly decorated with artworks, including paintings by Diego Velázquez, Francisco de Goya, and Caravaggio. The palace also houses a collection of Stradivarius violins, the Royal Armoury of Madrid, and the Royal Pharmacy.

Gardens

The palace is surrounded by several gardens, including the Campo del Moro Gardens and the Sabatini Gardens. These gardens are open to the public and offer a serene environment with fountains, statues, and well-maintained landscapes.

Use

Although the Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, they do not reside there. Instead, they live in the more modest Palace of Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid. The Royal Palace is used for state ceremonies, official banquets, and other important events.

Visitors

The Royal Palace is open to the public and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madrid. Visitors can explore the grand rooms, the Royal Armoury, and the Royal Pharmacy. The palace also hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events.

See also

• Spanish Royal Family
• Madrid
• Baroque architecture
• Neoclassical architecture
• Philip V of Spain
• Filippo Juvarra
• Giovanni Battista Sacchetti
• Royal Armoury of Madrid
• Royal Pharmacy