Royal Palace of Madrid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Palace of Madrid |
|
|---|---|
|
Palacio Real de Madrid (Spanish)
|
|
South façade.
|
|
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Baroque, Classicism |
| Town or city | Madrid |
| Country | Spain |
| Coordinates | 40°25′05″N 03°42′51″W / 40.41806°N 3.71417°W |
| Construction started | 7 April 1735 |
| Client | King Philip V of Spain |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 135,000 m2 (1,450,000 sq ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Filippo Juvarra (first of many) |
| Official name: Palacio Real de Madrid | |
| Type: | Non-movable |
| Criteria: | Monument |
| Designated: | 1931 |
| Reference #: | RI-51-0001061 |
The Royal Palace of Madrid (Spanish: Palacio Real de Madrid) is a huge and beautiful building in Madrid, Spain. It is the official home of the Spanish royal family. However, the royal family only uses it for special events and important ceremonies today. They live in a smaller palace nearby.
This palace is truly massive! It has 3,418 rooms and covers 135,000 square meters. That makes it the largest royal palace in Europe that is still used. The Spanish government owns and manages the palace. You can find it on Bailén Street in western downtown Madrid.
The palace stands where an old Muslim fortress was built in the 800s. Later, a large castle called the Royal Alcázar of Madrid stood here. It was home to kings and held royal treasures. This castle burned down on Christmas Eve in 1734. A new palace was then built on the same spot. Construction took place from 1738 to 1755. Many architects worked on its design. During the time of the Second Spanish Republic, it was called "Palacio Nacional."
The inside of the palace is full of amazing art. It has paintings by famous artists like Caravaggio, Francisco de Goya, and Velázquez. There are also beautiful ceiling paintings (frescoes) by artists such as Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Many paintings that once hung here are now in other museums in Madrid.
The palace also holds other important collections. These include the Royal Armoury of Madrid, which has old weapons and armor. You can also see collections of porcelain, watches, furniture, and silverware. The palace even has the only complete set of five musical instruments made by the famous Stradivarius.
Contents
History of the Palace Building
The first fortress on this site was built by a Muslim leader named Muhammad I. This was between 860 and 880. After the Moors left Toledo, the castle kept its role as a defense building. Later, King Henry III of Castile added towers. His son, John II, used it as a royal home. The castle was damaged during a war in 1476.
The only drawing of the castle from the Middle Ages is from 1534. It was made by Cornelius Vermeyen.
Emperor Charles V expanded and fixed up the castle in 1537. Then, Philip II made Madrid the capital in 1561. He continued to make changes and additions. Later kings, Philip III and Philip IV, added a long south side to the building.
Philip V became king in 1700. He was from the Bourbon family. He thought the old castle was too plain compared to the Palace of Versailles in France, where he grew up. So, he started to redesign the royal rooms.
The Grand Baroque Palace
On Christmas Eve in 1734, the old castle, the Alcázar, was destroyed by a fire. The fire started in the rooms of a French painter. People were slow to respond because the alarm bells were confused with church bells. Also, the doors were kept closed to prevent stealing, which made it hard to save things. Many artworks were lost. However, some pieces, like Las Meninas, were saved by throwing them out windows. Luckily, many items had been moved to another palace before the fire. The fire lasted four days and completely destroyed the old castle. Its remaining walls were taken down in 1738.
An Italian architect named Filippo Juvarra started work on the new palace. He planned a huge and fancy building. But he died in 1736. His student, Giovanni Battista Sacchetti, took over. Sacchetti designed the palace with a large square courtyard.
In 1760, King Charles III asked another architect, Francesco Sabatini, to make the building even bigger. Sabatini wanted to add more parts around the main square. He also planned to extend the north side of the palace. This part was started but never finished. The royal stables were later built there. These stables were removed in the 1900s and replaced by the Sabatini Gardens. Charles III first moved into the palace in 1764.
In the 1800s, King Ferdinand VII began a big renovation. He wanted to change the palace from an old Italian style to a modern French style. Later, his grandson, Alfonso XII, wanted to make it look like a Victorian home. He added new floors and furniture.
In the 1900s, the palace needed repairs after the Spanish Civil War. Damaged parts were fixed or replaced to look like the originals.
Today, the palace is open to the public. You can visit many rooms, but not all of them at once. The tour route changes every few months. There is an admission fee, but sometimes it is free to enter.
Outside the Palace
The main front of the palace faces the Plaza de la Armería. It has a two-story stone base. From this base, Ionic columns rise, framing the windows of the three main floors. The top part is hidden behind a decorative edge. This edge used to have statues of saints and kings. But King Charles III moved them to make the building look more classic.
In 1973, the front of the palace was restored. Some of the original sculptures were put back. These include statues of Aztec ruler Moctezuma II and Inca emperor Atahualpa. Statues of Roman emperors were also placed in the Prince's courtyard. Near the clock are statues of Philip V, Ferdinand VI, and other royal figures. Above the clock is the royal coat of arms.
Plaza de la Armería
This square was designed in 1892. But its history goes back to 1553. That's when Philip II ordered a building for the royal stables here.
The Almudena Cathedral stands across the square from the palace. Its outside looks like the palace. Its inside is in a different style. King Alfonso XII paid for its construction. He wanted it to hold the remains of his wife. The church was started in 1878 and finished in 1992.
Architects had many ideas for this square over the years. Some wanted to build a cathedral. Others wanted to connect the palace to other buildings. But King Charles III did not approve these plans.
Plaza de Oriente
The Plaza de Oriente is a rectangular park. It connects the east side of the Royal Palace to the Teatro Real (Royal Theater). The eastern side of the plaza is curved. It has many cafes in the buildings next to it.
This plaza was part of the original palace plan. But construction did not start until 1808. King Joseph Bonaparte ordered about 60 old buildings to be torn down. These included a church and a royal library. Joseph was removed from power before it was finished. Queen Isabella II completed it in 1844.
_11.jpg)
Pathways divide the plaza into three main garden areas. The Central Gardens are arranged in a grid. They have seven flowerbeds with small trees and flowers. The north and south edges of these gardens have statues. These are known as the Gothic kings. They show Visigoth rulers and early Christian kings. These statues were made to decorate the Royal Palace. But they were too heavy for the palace roof. So, they were left on the ground. The rest of these statues are in the Sabatini Gardens.
Queen Isabel II placed a statue of Philip IV in the center of the plaza. It is opposite the Prince's Gate.
Campo del Moro Gardens
These gardens are named after a Muslim leader. He supposedly camped here with his troops in 1109. King Philip IV made the first improvements. He added fountains and plants. But the gardens were mostly ignored for a long time.
During the palace construction, many garden plans were made. They were based on other royal gardens. But there wasn't enough money to do much. Queen Isabel II finally started serious work. The park was designed in the Romantic style.
Two fountains were moved here and placed in the center of the pathways. Later, the park was redesigned again. A large cave or grotto was built by Juan de Villanueva. Another smaller grotto is in front of the Parade Ground.
Sabatini Gardens
.jpg)
The Sabatini Gardens are next to the north side of the Royal Palace. They have a symmetrical French design. Work on them started in 1933. They are named after Francesco Sabatini. He designed the royal stables that used to be on this site. These gardens have a large rectangular pond. It is surrounded by four fountains. There are also statues of Spanish kings. These statues were originally meant for the top of the Royal Palace.
The government built these gardens for the public. But people were not allowed in until 1978. That's when King Juan Carlos I opened them.
Inside the Palace
Ground Floor Areas
Grand Staircase
This staircase was built in 1789. It is made from a single piece of marble. Two lion statues guard the landing. The ceiling has a beautiful painting (fresco) by Corrado Giaquinto. It shows Religion Protected by Spain. On the ground floor, there is a statue of Charles III. On the first floor, there is a similar statue of Charles IV.
Royal Library
The Royal Library was moved to the lower floor. Its bookshelves are from different time periods. The collection has many important books. These include a prayer book of Isabella I of Castile. There are also old maps showing the size of the Spanish Empire.
The book covers show how binding styles changed over time. The library also holds many old documents. These include letters from kings and the will of Philip II.
Royal Pharmacy
The Royal Pharmacy became part of the royal household in the 1500s. It was in charge of providing medicines. It still does this today. The collection includes old jars from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Royal Armory
The Royal Armory is one of the best in the world. It has weapons and armor from as early as the 1200s. This collection was worn by kings and their best soldiers. The building for the armory opened in 1897.
Important pieces include armor made for Charles V and Philip II. These were made by famous armor makers. Some of the armor was worn by Emperor Charles V in a famous battle. Parts of the collection were lost during wars. But it still has very important pieces of art. This includes a shield and helmet made by the famous Negroli family.
First Floor Areas
King Charles III's Apartments
The Halberdier's Room was designed by Sabatini. It has a ceiling painting by Tiepolo. It shows Venus and Vulcan.
The Hall of Columns has a ceiling painting by Giaquinto. It shows The Sun before Which All the Forces of Nature Awaken and Rejoice. This painting compares the king to the sun god Apollo. There is a bronze statue of Charles V Vanquishing Fury. The bronze chandeliers were made in Paris in 1846.
The Throne Room was created in 1772. It features Tiepolo's ceiling painting, The Apotheosis of the Spanish Monarchy. There are also bronze statues of virtues and planets. Four Medici lions stand next to the two thrones.
Charles III's Anteroom has a ceiling painting from 1774. It shows Apotheosis of Trajan. The Antechamber of Charles III also has a ceiling painting. It shows The Apotheosis of Hercules. This room has four royal family portraits by Goya.
The Queen's Apartments and Banqueting Hall
These three rooms used to be the queen's apartments. King Alfonso XII changed them into a banquet hall in 1879. It was finished in 1885. The three original ceiling paintings remained. They show scenes like Dawn in Her Chariot and Boabdil Giving the Keys to Granada to the Catholic Monarchs.
Apartments of Infante Luis
These rooms were once used by Infante Luis. The Stradivarius Room now holds a viola, two cellos, and two violins. These instruments were made by Stradivari. The ceiling painting shows Gentleness accompanied by the Four Cardinal Virtues.
The Musical Instruments Room has a ceiling painting by Francisco Bayeu. It shows Providence Presiding over the Virtues and Faculties of Man.
Royal Chapel
The Royal Chapel was designed in 1748. It has ceiling paintings by Giaquinto. These include The Trinity and Glory and the Holy Trinity Crowning the Virgin. Above the main altar is a painting of St. Michael. The altar also has a silver relief from 1659.
The Crown Room
This room used to be the apartment of Alfonso XIII's mother. Now, it holds Charles III's throne, scepter, and crown. The walls are decorated with tapestries. These show the Four Seasons. You can also see the speeches from the abdication of King Juan Carlos I and the proclamation of King Felipe VI.
Gallery
-
The Gasparini Room, Royal Palace, Madrid, Spain, photo of 1927
-
The Porcelain Room, Royal Palace, Madrid, photo of 1927
-
Salon of Charles III, Royal Palace, Madrid, photo of 1927
-
Spanish Royal Crown and Scepter
Recent Events
The wedding party for Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz happened in the palace's central courtyard on May 22, 2004.
See also
In Spanish: Palacio Real de Madrid para niños
- Project of Filippo Juvarra for the Royal Palace of Madrid
- Palacio del Buen Retiro (another royal palace in Madrid, now mostly demolished)
- Royal Palace of El Pardo
- Royal Palace of Aranjuez
- Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso
- Royal Palace of La Almudaina
- Royal Palace of Valladolid
