Royal Palace of Madrid – history, photo, description, opening hours, prices 2021, how to get there, map
The Royal Palace in Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid) or Oriental Palace is one of the most beautiful in Europe. The building in the Italian Baroque style impresses not only with its huge size, but also with rich interior decoration. The palace claims to be the main attraction of the capital and is the official residence of the Spanish kings, but since 1931 the royal family has not lived in it. Today it is used for receptions and state ceremonies, and 50 halls are open to public visits.
Construction history
The royal residence is located in the western part of the city on the banks of the Manzanares River. The history of origin is rooted in the distant past. In the 10th century, a Muslim state existed on the territory of Spain – the Caliphate of Cordoba. By decree of the emirs of Cordoba and Toledo, a Moorish fortress was built in the town of Majirit (now Madrid) to protect against the attack of the Spaniards who professed the Christian faith. It was the first forerunner of the modern palace.
The second building dates back to the 16th century. During the reign of the Habsburg dynasty in Spain, the fortress was rebuilt and was named Alcazar (Antiguo Alcázar), which translates as the Old Castle. In 1561, under King Philip II, Madrid became the capital of Spain and the royal family settled in the Alcazar. The ruling dynasties lived in the castle until 1734, when the Alcazar was destroyed by fire. In its place, in 1738, under King Philip V (Bourbon), construction began on a new palace. It was already the third building on this site, which has survived to this day.
Born and living in Versailles until the age of 17, Philip V wished his residence to surpass in splendor the famous French palace built by his grandfather, so a grandiose building was originally planned. Construction lasted 27 years, and was completed in 1764. By this time, King Philip V had already died and the first monarch who settled in the palace was Charles III. The decoration of the interior and surrounding areas continued until the 20th century.
Architecture
The design of the building in the late Italian Baroque style was made by the talented Italian architect F. Juvarro. However, he failed to start construction: in 1736 he passed away. The project was implemented by two of his compatriots: Giovanni Battista Sacchetti and Francesco Sabatini. The grandiose three-storey complex with a height of 33 meters with a total area of 135 thousand m² has 3418 rooms, 870 windows, 240 balconies, 110 doors and 47 flights of stairs. It has the shape of a square with a side length of 130 m, inside which there is a spacious courtyard surrounded by a gallery with numerous arches.
Fearing a fire, wood was not used in the construction. The building was built of white stone, gray granite, marble was used in the decoration. On the facade are Doric and Ionic pilasters, sculptures of crowned persons, graceful balconies. The upper part of the facade along the perimeter is surrounded by a relief cornice with a balustrade.
The main entrance is on the south facade. Above it is an attic with the emblem of the Bourbon dynasty and the majestic sculpture “Triumph of Spain”, below – a magnificent tower clock. In front of the entrance is a large Armory Square, bounded by symmetrical buildings, decorated with gilded lanterns. It is here that a solemn ceremony is held that attracts many tourists – the changing of the guard with the participation of the royal guards and horsemen.
Interior
The best European masters worked on the interior decoration of the palace for many decades. At the entrance opposite the main marble staircase designed by Francesco Sabatini, guests are greeted by a statue of Carlos III in armor. Luxurious halls are decorated with frescoes and paintings by famous Flemish, Venetian, Spanish masters, crystal chandeliers, mirrors, candelabra, Empire and Rococo furniture, magnificent sculptures.
The Throne Room or the Hall of Ambassadors is designed to receive distinguished guests and embassy delegations. The central place is given to two gilded thrones of the 18th century, which stand on a hill surrounded by four guards – bronze lions. On the sides are sculptures symbolizing Prudence and Justice. The vault is frescoed by the Venetian master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. The walls are upholstered in red and gold velvet, silver chandeliers are considered the most beautiful in the palace. On the walls are mirrors in a rich gold frame, crystal candelabra. Here is the famous painting by Caravaggio “Salome with the head of John the Baptist.”
The porcelain room with delicate light green ceramic panels on the walls captivates with its elegance and decoration. They depict wreaths, goblets, garlands very realistically. In the Royal Salon, or the Gasparini Room, the walls are upholstered in light silvery silk with floral ornaments. The ceiling above the massive chandelier is decorated with the work of the German master Anton Raphael Mengs “The Apotheosis of Trajan”. On the walls are magnificent mirrors, candelabra, a portrait of Carlos IV by Francisco Goya. In the center of the room is an elegant mosaic table with golden birds pecking at grains. The author of the project of the hall is the Neapolitan master Mattias Gasparini, by whose name he is often called.
The Dining Hall, which was intended for banquets, is striking in its pomposity. More than 140 people were seated at the long table at the same time. The interior is decorated with tapestries by Flemish artists of the 16th century, frescoes by Antonio Vasquez made with cinnabar, the finest Chinese vases of the 17th century, and crystal chandeliers.
museum treasures
Visitors to the Palace are given the opportunity to see treasures that have become relics. These are paintings and frescoes by prominent artists: Caravaggio, Francisco Goya, Diego Velasquez, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Corrado Giaquinto and others.
The armory contains a collection of weapons and armor from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, including those belonging to the kings Charles V, Philip IV, Maximilian I. Finely crafted jewelry belonging to royal people fascinate with their brilliance and grace: tiaras studded with diamonds, emeralds, topaz, pendants, cameos. There is also a royal crown encrusted with precious stones and a scepter with a crystal ball.
A unique collection of antique pharmacies includes recipes, glass and porcelain vessels, medicinal herbariums and a 17th-century medicine laboratory. Watches are interesting, not only showing time, but performing various melodies: trills of birds, sounds of a flute, flutes and equipped with mechanical moving figures. Monarchs were obsessed with the passion of collecting watches, so there are more than 700 watches in the palace.
Music connoisseurs are delighted with the collection of string instruments, which includes exhibits made by the famous master Stradivarius. It is impossible not to mention the library, which occupies 24 rooms. It contains the rarest old books in exquisite bindings, coins, coinage, medals.
Adjacent gardens and parks
The palace is surrounded by magnificent green parks. On the north side, a wide staircase leads down to the Sabatini Garden, which is located on the site of the Royal Stables, designed by the great master. The garden with an area of 2.5 hectares was founded in 1933 by F. Mercadel. The central place is occupied by a rectangular pond with a mirror-clean surface. Snow-white statues of monarchs rise along the perimeter. Perfectly trimmed labyrinths of boxwood grow green around. The alleys are planted with evergreen conifers, cypresses, magnolias, among which pheasants, turtledoves, wild pigeons feel great. The Sabatini Garden was opened to the public in 1978.
From the west of the palace towards the Manzanares River, on an area of 20 hectares, there is a huge Campo del Moro Park (Moorish field). The name comes from the fact that in the 12th century a Moorish camp stood on this site. The project of the park belongs to Narciso Pascual Colomer, Ramon Oliva brought it to life.
In 1844, the Moorish field was transformed into a park area for the royal children to play. After 20 years, they began to build a large landscape gardening complex: they planted 10 thousand deciduous trees, many shrubs, arranged flower beds, lawns, rose gardens. It acquired its present form by 1890.
There are many trees in the park that are over 100 years old. Palm trees, cedars, sequoias, chestnuts, cypresses, etc. grow in the neighborhood. Magnificent flower beds, Tyrolean houses, gazebos, white marble fountains, artificial grottoes and caves – all this gives a touch of grace and romanticism. Magnificent peacocks fearlessly roam the green lawns, fluffing their fantastically colored tails, snow-white swans swim in the pond. At the very end of the park is the Carriage Museum, which contains unique copies of the royal carriages, landau, gigs, carriages.
Opening hours and ticket prices
Schedule:
Ticket offices close an hour earlier. Closed on the following days: January 1 and 6, May 1, December 25. Ticket price 10 €, children under 5 years old – free of charge, from 5 to 16 years old and over 65 years old – 5 €. Audio guide – 4 €. Entrance to the parks is free.
Where is it located and how to get there
The palace is located in the center of Madrid on the Plaza de Oriente. Visitor Access: On the corner of Bailen Street.
Bus: No. 3, 25, 39, 148 to San Quintin
Metro: Lines 5 and 2, (Station Opera), then walk 5 minutes.
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