Description of the attraction
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. At the same time, the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, uses the palace only for official ceremonies, and lives with his family in a more modest palace.
The Royal Palace was built by order of King Philip V, who wished to have a palace equal in beauty and grandeur to Versailles. The palace was designed by Italian architects Filippo Juvarra, Giovanni Sacchetti and Francesco Sabatini, who worked on the final stages of the design.
The construction of the palace lasted from 1738 to 1764, and was completed under King Charles III. The palace is located on a hillside, so its foundation stands on stepped platforms with internal ceilings. The main entrance to the palace is from the side of the Armory Square, on the southern facade of the building. The royal couple enter here in a carriage during solemn ceremonies, here the changing of the guard takes place every first Wednesday of the month.
The interiors of the palace amaze with their splendor and rich decor. Most of the rooms are decorated in the Rococo style. Here you can see amazing frescoes by outstanding Italian, Spanish and German masters. The walls are adorned with magnificent tapestries, portraits and paintings, and beautiful crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings. The rooms have Empire and Rococo furniture. Here you can also see an amazing collection of Stradivari violins and a collection of ancient weapons. A visit to the Throne Room, the Porcelain Room, the Royal Chapel, the Royal Pharmacy and the Armory will be especially interesting.
A beautiful park is laid out around the Royal Palace, and an unusually interesting Museum of Carriages is located in the park.
Every day, except for the days of official ceremonies, the Royal Palace is open to visitors.
