Palacio Real de Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid) is the official residence of the Spanish royal family in Madrid. However, now it is only used for state ceremonies. It is the largest royal palace in use in Europe. The palace has 3,418 rooms and a total floor area of 135,000 square metres.
The Location
The palace stands on the site of a 9th-century Moorish Alcázar. In the 16th century, the Castilian Alcázar was built on the site; however, it burned down on 24 December 1734. Subsequently, King Filipe V instructed that the replacement palace be of Berniniesque design. Construction of the current palace took place from 1738 to 1755. The first resident was Carlos III, and it continued to be the home of Spanish Monarchs until Alfonso XIII in 1931.
The Royal Palace facades front onto streets, plazas and gardens. The main facade faces the Plaza de la Armeria. The history of the square dates back to 1553, although the current arrangement is from 1892. The Almudena Cathedral faces the palace across the Plaza.
The other palace facades front onto the Plaza de Oriente, Campo del Moro Gardens and Sabatini Gardens. The latter gardens feature a large rectangular pond surrounded by four fountains and statues of Spanish kings.
The Interior
The palace showcases grand Baroque and Classical architecture, with over 3,000 rooms filled with exquisite art, tapestries, and historic treasures, including works by Goya and Velázquez. Visitors can explore its lavish halls, the Royal Armoury, and beautifully landscaped gardens, all while enjoying sweeping views over the city and the Campo del Moro.
Visiting the Royal Palace
The palace is on Calle de Bailén in Madrid, east of the Manzanares River. The nearest metro is Ópera station. Several rooms in the Royal Palace are usually open to the public.
N.B. Photography inside the palace is restricted. Therefore, I am only able to include photographs where photography is allowed.
