Royal Palace of Riofrío facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Palace of Riofrío |
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| Native name Spanish: Palacio Real de Riofrío |
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| Location | Navas de Riofrío, Spain |
| Built | 1752-1759 |
| Built for | Elisabeth Farnese, The Queen Dowager |
| Architect | Virgilio Rabaglio |
| Architectural style(s) | Italian baroque |
| Governing body | Patrimonio Nacional |
| Official name: Palacio Real de Riofrío | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1931 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0001065 |
The Royal Palace of Riofrío (in Spanish: Palacio Real de Riofrío) is one of the homes used by the Spanish royal family. It is managed by Patrimonio Nacional, which is a government group that takes care of buildings and lands owned by the Spanish state for the royal family. The palace is located in a forest where deer live. This forest is in the town of San Ildefonso, in the province of Segovia, central Spain.
The palace looks like an Italian building. It has a square shape and three floors. The Italian architect Virgilio Rabaglio designed it to look similar to the Royal Palace of Madrid. The palace is surrounded by a large forest that is about 625 hectares big. Many animals, like fallow deer and deer, live there. Kings and queens mostly used this palace for hunting. Only King Alfonso XII and his father, Francisco de Asís, who was the King Consort, lived here for a short time.
History of the Royal Palace of Riofrío
Queen Elisabeth Farnese became a widow in 1746. Her husband, King Philip V, had died. His son, Ferdinand VI, who was Elisabeth's step-son, became the new king. To make sure Elisabeth stayed away from the main court, King Ferdinand VI agreed to build a palace for her. This palace was to be at Riofrío. During her step-son's rule, the queen lived at the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso.
The palace was built in a part of the town of San Ildefonso in Segovia. It is about 11 miles from the town that gives its name to the area. It is also close to the towns of Navas de Riofrío and La Losa. The palace was designed in the Italian style. This was a nod to Elisabeth's birth in the Duchy of Parma, which is in northern Italy. It was designed with a central square shape and had three floors. The architect, Virgilio Rabaglio, was from Switzerland. He was also in charge of the outside decorations. This made it one of the most important Italian-style palaces ever. People often compare the palace to the Royal Palace of Madrid, which is the official home of the Spanish royal family.
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The queen, who was a widow, wanted her son, King Carlo VII of Naples, to become the next king of Spain. But before the palace was finished, King Ferdinand VI died in August 1759. He had no children. So, King Carlo VII became King Carlos III of Spain. Elisabeth became the regent, which meant she ruled until her son arrived in Spain. She then lived at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. She died there in 1766 and never lived at Riofrío. Elisabeth had managed to get four of her children to become rulers. She planned to give the palace to her youngest son, Infante Luis, Count of Chinchón, but he did not use it.
The palace was left empty for a while. It was then finished as a hunting lodge. It was only used when the royal family went hunting in the nearby forests. Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony stayed there to avoid problems at court because she did not have children with her husband, King Ferdinand VII. The palace was also used by King Francis, who was the husband of Queen Isabel II. He used it to stay away from his wife. Later, King Alfonso XII lived there when he was sad after his wife, Queen Maria de las Mercedes, died. Inside the palace, you can see the patio, a grand staircase, a chapel, and a collection of paintings, tapestries, and furniture. It is surrounded by a huge forest of 625 hectares, where deer and other animals live. Today, Riofrío is home to a museum that tells the story of hunting.
See also
- In Spanish: Palacio Real de Riofrío para niños
