Are you traveling to Madrid, Spain? There are many things to see and do in this amazing and vibrant city but one of the top things on your list should be a visit to the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). It's an architectural marvel and second in size and splendor only to the Palace of Versailles in France. Plan an entire day to play tourist here since the palace and the grounds are immense and there is plenty to see.
This architectural treasure was conceived by Phillip V and took 25 years to construct but occupied for many years by the Spanish monarchy. The Royal Palace was at one time the center of power for half of the (then known) world. Surprisingly the palace was occupied up until the 20th century; Alfonso XIII was the last to occupy it in 1931.
The building itself is a phenomenal example of French classical architecture and it's surrounded by beautifully manicured grounds and a statuary. Not all of it is decorated in European flavor; for example, take a look at the stone statues of Inca prince Atahualpa and the Aztec king Montezuma. It's quite unusual for a palace of this time period.
Taking a tour of the palace is the only way to see and appreciate much of the history and art. The two hour tour includes the Salon de Gasparini; a truly amazing room with intricate ceramic walls and brilliant chandeliers. The banquet hall will impress you with seating for over 100 guests!
You'll also visit the throne room where rulings were handed down for centuries and much of the world's history was influenced. Also worth a look is the Armeria Real (Royal Army) which has on display ancient weapons and armor. The garish torture devices used during the Spanish Inquisition will shock you.
For another insight into the primitive past, check out the Royal Pharmacy which displays many instruments that were used to treat the royal family. Also worth a look is the Royal Library which is not as extensive as the Vatican Library but still has an impressive collection. There is a first edition of Don Quixote and several centuries old musical instruments.
No visit to the Royal Palace is complete without witnessing the changing of the guards. As with most, the changing of the guard attracts onlookers due to the unbelievable amount of tradition and form involved.
So when you next get a to go to Madrid, make sure you pay a visit to the grand Palacio Real. It will be well worth it!
The Palacio Real, also known as the Royal Palace of Madrid, is the official residence of the King of Spain. The King and his royal family do not reside there, but the Palace is still used for state occasions. It is one of Madrid's largest tourist sites with almost 3,000 rooms, 240 balconies and over staircases and is owned by the Spanish state. The Palacio is not just another great site in Spain, but a masterpiece of tourism.
Except when it's in use, the palace is partially open to the public. The 10% of the palace that's open for viewing is full of items to make the Royal Palace the number one tourist site such as bejeweled clocks, exquisite rococo decorations and beautiful tapestries and numerous other precious items. The palace has been in construction for around twenty-five years, yet still holds much of the armory of some of the 18th century heroes.
There is a lot of history behind the palace, which was started by Phillip V. Alfonso XIII resided in the palace in 1931, which gives testimony to the palace have once been a place of power for a powerful country. The palace was designed with French classical architecture and is the former site of Alczar, a Moorish fortress that burned down in 1734. In addition to the building, the grounds are a site for conversation with statues of Atahualpa, the Inca prince as well as the Aztec King Montezuma.
End your traveling with a stop at the Royal Palace for their two-hour tour where you can see some of the most beautiful furnishings in the Saln de Gasparini in addition to a large banquet hall, which will hold and serve over 100 guests.
If you're a real history buff, you'll love the Armeria Real (Royal Armory) and the many weapons and armor on display along with many of the torture methods used in medieval times. All this and more is on display in their throne room.
The Royal Library (Biblioteca Real) gives you a lot for your time such as many Stradivarius instruments, a Don Quixote first edition plus much more. To describe all they have to offer there would take away from the suspense you'll feel when arriving. The Royal Pharmacy will show you the many instruments that are . The pharmacy is still in use today, but it is not open during official doings.
You will want to combine viewing their gorgeous gardens from the Manzanares River while watching the changing of the guards.
Both Peter Wilson & Linden Walhard are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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