Royal Palace of Pedralbes facts for kids

The Royal Palace of Pedralbes (also known as Palacio Real de Pedralbes in Spanish and Palau Reial de Pedralbes in Catalan) is a grand building surrounded by a huge garden in the district of Les Corts in Barcelona. From 1919 to 1931, and again since 1975, it has been a special home for the Spanish royal family when they visit the city. However, they now often prefer another palace called the Palace of Albéniz. This palace also holds several museums, like the Ceramic Museum, the Textile and Clothing Museum, and the Decorative Arts Museum. It is also the main office for the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), a group of countries working together.

A Palace with a Past

The story of the palace begins with an old farmhouse from the 1600s called Can Feliu. In 1872, a wealthy count named Eusebi Güell bought this land. It was already known as Torre Güell. He also bought the nearby Can Cuiàs de la Riera. Together, these lands formed a huge property called Finca Güell, covering about 30,000 square meters.

From Farmhouse to Palace

The original farmhouse was first updated by an architect named Joan Martorell i Montells. He built a small palace that looked like something from the Caribbean. He also added a chapel in a Gothic Revival style and beautiful gardens around it. Later, in 1887, the famous architect Antoni Gaudí took over the remodeling. He also designed a wall around the property and special entrance buildings.

Gaudí also helped design parts of the gardens. He added two fountains and a covered walkway called a pergola. He planted many Mediterranean trees like palm trees, cypress trees, magnolias, pine trees, and eucalyptus. One of his fountains, the Font d'Hércules (Hercules fountain), is still there today. It was fixed up in 1983. This fountain has a statue of Hercules on top of a pillar. It also has the shield of Catalonia and a water spout shaped like a Chinese dragon.

The "Torre Guell" around 1900.

A Gift to the King

In 1918, Eusebi Güell gave the house and garden to the Spanish royal family. He did this to thank them for giving him the title of Count. The house was then changed to become a royal palace. This work happened between 1919 and 1924. Architects Eusebi Bona and Francesc Nebot led the project.

The palace has a main building that is four stories tall. It has a chapel at the back. Two side wings, three stories high, curve outwards from the front. The outside of the palace is built in a classic style called Noucentisme. It has columns, round arches, and decorations like medallions and jars on top. Inside, the palace has many different styles of decoration and furniture. These range from the fancy Louis XIV style to more modern looks.

Beautiful Gardens and Statues

The gardens were designed by Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí. His design included a neat, geometric area. It kept many of the trees that were already there. The gardens also have a pond with many decorations. Gaudí's Hercules fountain is there, along with bamboo benches. Three lighted fountains, designed by Carles Buïgas, add to the beauty. Buïgas also designed the famous Magic Fountain in Montjuïc. You can also see many statues, like one of Queen Isabella II with her son Alfonso XII at the front of the palace. This statue was made by Agapit Vallmitjana.

Royal Visits and Public Use

On June 8, 1926, the Mayor of Barcelona gave the Palace of Pedralbes and its grounds to the Patrimonio Nacional. This meant it became part of Spain's national heritage. The King of Spain and his family then used it. In 1929, the royal family stayed at the palace for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, a big international fair. The king used it for the last time in January and May 1930.

When Spain became a republic in 1931, the palace became property of the city government. They decided to turn it into a decorative arts museum, which opened in 1932. During the time of Francisco Franco's rule, the palace was used as a home for Franco when he visited Barcelona. In 1990, the Ceramic Museum was also moved into the palace.

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  The Font d'Hércules, designed by Antoni Gaudí.

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  The statue of Isabella II showing her son, Alfonso XII, by Agapit Vallmitjana i Barbany.

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  Flags of UfM members, at the palace entrance.

The Royal Chambers: A Glimpse into the Past

The Royal Chambers inside the Palau de Pedralbes include the bedroom of Alfonso XIII and the waiting room and chamber of Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg. These rooms were built between 1919 and 1924. Architects Eusebi Bona and Francesc de Paula Nebot were asked to create this home for the King and his family. They used it during their short visits to Barcelona.

Preserved History

After the monarchy ended and the palace opened as a museum in 1932, the public could see these three royal rooms. They were left almost exactly as they were when the King and Queen left. The wall decorations and furniture were still in their original places.

Even though the building has gone through many big political changes (like monarchy, republic, civil war, and dictatorship), the royal chambers have stayed almost perfectly preserved. The King and Queen decorated these spaces with their own styles and money. Because of this, the rooms still show their personal touch.

In the 1920s, new modern ideas came to Barcelona. A famous modern building, the Barcelona Pavilion, was built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. The King visited this exhibit and even got a personal tour from the architect. However, the royal chambers were decorated in an older, more traditional style. They still look very interesting with their beautiful furnishings.

See also

In Spanish: Palacio Real de Pedralbes para niños