Royal Palace of Madrid, also known as Palacio Real is the abode of the King of Spain. The royal family doesn’t use this palace for residing, but it is used for state ceremonies. The complete name of the palace is Palacio Real de Madrid. The place where the Palace has been built boasts a long history. It was used by the Islamic Kingdom of Toledo. The Muslim castle was built here during the ninth century. Later “Alcazar” (a castle) was created on the same site in the 16th century. The material used for construction was mostly wood, but this proved to be dangerous as it was burnt in the year 1734 and was reduced to ashes.
Later, King Philip took the initiative for building a new palace on the same site. This time, stone and brick material was used in construction instead of wood to avoid any kind of damage. In the year 1738, Sacchetti began constructing the Royal Palace. The work ended in 1764. Many people took part in the construction of this monument. King Charles III started using it as a residence for the first time in 1764.
The structure of the Palace is square in shape. A huge courtyard is in the centre of the site. The building of Palacio Real looks like a giant villa comprising of 3,418 rooms. The marvelous construction with the use of authentic arches and façade make it fascinating. High quality material has been used in each and every part of the building. Doors and windows have been made by using mahogany. Five rooms of the Palacio Real, Madrid, are opened by the state administration for tourists. The attractive rooms in the Palacio Real are the Throne Room, the Gasparini Room and the Porcelain Room. Rooms in the Palace are decorated with paintings, furniture, decorative mirrors, artwork, sculptures, etc.
The Throne Room is decorated truly in a royal style. The walls are draped in velvet embroidered cloth. The ceiling is designed with an elaborate fresco which represents the old style of monarchy. The throne has golden coating and the four bronze lions are fitted on the steps of the throne. The ceiling is covered fully with gorgeous painting and artwork. The colors used and the portraits drawn are so amazing that it helps to remember the history of Spain.
The Gasparini Room is widely known as the dressing room or the guest room of Charles III, and is as beautiful as any other room in this elegant palace. The ceiling is covered with beautiful bursting flowers and vines. Earthy colors are used everywhere. The walls of this room are covered with silk material and heavy embroidery of gold and silver. It gives the room really a magnificent look. The flower pattern is used on the floor to balance it with the ceiling artwork. Furniture pieces like chairs are also covered in the flower-patterned velvet cloth.
The Porcelain room is the smallest room in the Palacio Real and is really amazing. The room is covered with ceramic work of flowers on each and every part. The Palacio Real is a wonderful piece of architecture. Each and every part of the Palace is preserved carefully. This fabulous Palace is surrounded by gardens which are known as Moor’s field. The amazing fountain in the middle of this garden completes the picture of this eye-catching Royal Palace. It is a must for the tourists to visit this beautiful place.
Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real) Map
Facts about Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real)
- The palace has a floor area of 135,000 square meters.
- The construction of this monument began on April 7, 1738.
- It was named as a Spanish Property of Cultural Interest in 1931.
Where is Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real) ?
Palacio Real de Madrid is located in Madrid, Spain. It takes around half-an-hour to reach the palace from the Madrid-Barajas Airport.
Best time to visit Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real)
Autumn and spring are the perfect seasons for visiting Palacio Real de Madrid.
Royal Palace of Madrid Address
Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain
Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real) Hours
The Royal Palace opens from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during April through September, while it closes at 6:00 p.m. during the months of October to March.
Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real) Tickets
The entry ticket for an individual costs €11.00.
More about Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real)
Nearby Attractions: Plaza de Oriente, Almudena Cathedral, Muralla Árabe, Teatro Real, Church of San Nicolás, and Real Monasterio de la Encarnación.