Coordinates: 40°25′5″N 3°42′50″W / 40.41806°N 3.71389°W / 40.41806; -3.71389

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The '''Palacio Real de Madrid''' (The Royal Palace of Madrid), is the official residence of the [[king of Spain]].<ref>Patrimonio Nacional [http://www.patrimonionacional.es/Home/Palacios-Reales/Palacio-Real-de-Madrid.aspx «Royal Palace of Madrid»].</ref> Is the largest palace in [[Western Europe]] in extent, with 135,000 m² and more than 3,418 rooms. Its importance is that host to a valuable historical and artistic heritage, as the Stradivarius Palatinos and very important collections of other art forms such as [[painting]], [[sculpture]] and [[tapestry]].<ref>Madripedia. [http://www.madripedia.es/wiki/Palacio_Real «Palacio Real»].</ref>
The '''Palacio Real de Madrid''' (The Royal Palace of Madrid), also known as the '''Palacio de Oriente''' (The Orient Palace, or Far East Palace), is the [[official residence]] of the [[King of Spain]] in the city of [[Madrid]], but it is only used for state ceremonies. King [[Juan Carlos of Spain|Juan Carlos]] and the Royal Family do not reside in the palace, choosing instead the more modest [[Palacio de la Zarzuela]] on the outskirts of Madrid. The palace is owned by the Spanish State and administered by the [[Patrimonio Nacional]], a public agency of the Ministry of the Presidency. The palace is located on Bailén Street, in the Western part of downtown Madrid, East of the [[Manzanares River]], and is accessible from the Ópera [[Madrid metro|metro]] station. The palace is partially open to public, except when it is being used for official business.

Another of the names used to refer to the building is the "Palacio de Oriente". This name originates from the square which bears one of the balconies of the palace, the Plaza de Oriente, which also houses the [[Teatro Real]].<ref>Chueca, pag. 15.</ref>

It was built on the ruins of the [[Royal Alcázar of Madrid|Royal Alcázar]], destroyed by a fire in 1734, by decision of King [[Philip V of Spain|Philip V of Bourbon]]. Construction began in 1738, according to plans by architect [[[Filippo Juvara]], modified significantly by his pupil Juan Bautista Sachetti.<ref>Chueca, pag. 16.</ref> [[Francesco Sabatini]] was responsible for the completion of the building and ancillary works of reform, enlargement and decoration. [[Charles III of Spain|Charles III]] was the first monarch to continuously inhabited the palace.<ref>Chueca, pág. 17.</ref>

The last monarch who lived continuously in the palace was [[Alfonso XIII of Spain|Alfonso XIII]], althought [[Manuel Azaña]], president of the [[Spanish Second Republic|Second Republic]], also inhabited on it, making it the last head of state to do so. During that period was known as «Palacio Nacional». There is still a room next to the Real Capilla, which is known by the name «office of Azaña».<ref>Chueca, pág. 18.</ref>

Interior of the palace is notable for its wealth of art, both as regards the use of all kinds of fine materials in its construction and the decoration of its rooms with artwork of all kinds, including paintings by artists such [[Caravaggio]], [[Diego Velázquez|Velázquez]], [[Francisco de Goya]] and frescoes of [[Corrado Giaquinto]], [[Giovanni Battista Tiepolo]] and [[Anton Raphael Mengs]].<ref>Chueca, pag. 18.</ref> Other collections of great historical and artistic importance that are preserved in the building are the Royal Armoury, Porcelain, Watches, Furniture and Silverware.<ref>Chueca, pag. 20.</ref> Currently, the [[Patrimonio Nacional]], an autonomous body under the Ministry of the Presidency, manages the owned of public property in the service of the Crown, including the Royal Palace.<ref>Chueca, pag. 21.</ref>


== History ==
== History ==

Revision as of 02:45, 11 March 2011

Royal Palace of Madrid
Courtyard of the Royal Palace of Madrid
Map
General information
Architectural styleBaroque, Classicism
Town or cityMadrid
CountrySpain
Construction startedApril 7, 1738
ClientPhilip V of Spain
Design and construction
Architect(s)Filippo Juvara (first of many)

The Palacio Real de Madrid (The Royal Palace of Madrid), is the official residence of the king of Spain.[1] Is the largest palace in Western Europe in extent, with 135,000 m² and more than 3,418 rooms. Its importance is that host to a valuable historical and artistic heritage, as the Stradivarius Palatinos and very important collections of other art forms such as painting, sculpture and tapestry.[2]

Another of the names used to refer to the building is the "Palacio de Oriente". This name originates from the square which bears one of the balconies of the palace, the Plaza de Oriente, which also houses the Teatro Real.[3]

It was built on the ruins of the Royal Alcázar, destroyed by a fire in 1734, by decision of King Philip V of Bourbon. Construction began in 1738, according to plans by architect [[[Filippo Juvara]], modified significantly by his pupil Juan Bautista Sachetti.[4] Francesco Sabatini was responsible for the completion of the building and ancillary works of reform, enlargement and decoration. Charles III was the first monarch to continuously inhabited the palace.[5]

The last monarch who lived continuously in the palace was Alfonso XIII, althought Manuel Azaña, president of the Second Republic, also inhabited on it, making it the last head of state to do so. During that period was known as «Palacio Nacional». There is still a room next to the Real Capilla, which is known by the name «office of Azaña».[6]

Interior of the palace is notable for its wealth of art, both as regards the use of all kinds of fine materials in its construction and the decoration of its rooms with artwork of all kinds, including paintings by artists such Caravaggio, Velázquez, Francisco de Goya and frescoes of Corrado Giaquinto, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and Anton Raphael Mengs.[7] Other collections of great historical and artistic importance that are preserved in the building are the Royal Armoury, Porcelain, Watches, Furniture and Silverware.[8] Currently, the Patrimonio Nacional, an autonomous body under the Ministry of the Presidency, manages the owned of public property in the service of the Crown, including the Royal Palace.[9]

History

The site of the palace dates from a 9th-century fortress, called mayrit, constructed as an outpost by Mohammed I, Emir of Córdoba and inherited after 1036 by the independent Moorish Taifa of Toledo. After Madrid fell to Alfonso VI of Castile in 1085, the edifice was only rarely used by the kings of Castile. In 1329, King Alfonso XI of Castile convoked the cortes of Madrid for the first time. Philip II moved his court to Madrid in 1561.

The Antiguo Alcázar ("Old Castle") was built on the location in the 16th century. It burned on December 24, 1734; King Philip V ordered a new palace built on the same location. Construction spanned the years 1738 to 1755[10] and followed a Berniniesque design by Filippo Juvarra and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in cooperation with Ventura Rodríguez, Francesco Sabatini, and Martín Sarmiento. The new palace, directly facing the cathedral across the Plaza de Armas, was occupied by Charles III in 1764.

Interior

The interior that is open to visitors consists of:

  • The main staircase
  • Halberdiers Room
  • Hall of Columns
  • Throne Room
  • Saleta and antechamber of Charles III
  • Chamber and bedroom of Charles III
  • Gala Dining Room
  • Music Room
  • China collection
  • Royal Chapel
Throne room
The Royal Armoury ([La Real Armería] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) museum
  • The imperial ballroom
  • The imperial bedchamber
  • 252 royal guest bedchambers
  • The diplomatic foreeea'
  • Two grand maid's rooms
  • The blue porcelain room
  • The green porcelain room
  • The red reception room

Today

The vast palace is richly decorated by artists such as Velázquez, Tiepolo, Mengs, Gasparini, Juan de Flandes, Caravaggio, and Goya. Several royal collections of great historical importance are kept at the palace, including the Royal Armoury and weapons dating back to the 13th century, and the world's only complete Stradivarius string quintet, as well as collections of tapestry, porcelain, furniture, and other objects of great historical importance.

Below the palace, to the west, are the gardens of the Campo del Moro that were given this name due to the fact that here in the year 1109, Muslim leader Ali ibn Yusuf, encamped with his men in the attempt to recapture Madrid and its Alcázar (fortress) from the Christians. The east façade of the palace gives onto the Plaza de Oriente and the Teatro Real opera house. To the south is a vast square, the Plaza de la Armas, surrounded by narrow wings of the palace, and to the south of that is located the Catedral de la Almudena. To the north are the Jardines de Sabatini (Sabatini Gardens), named after one of the architects of the palace.

On the Plaza de Armas facade, two life-size statues on both sides of the main entrance honor the two native Emperors from the Americas, Moctezuma, Emperor of the Aztecs, and Atahualpa, Emperor of the Incas.

The wedding banquet of Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz took place on 22 May 2004 at the central courtyard of the Palace.

The palace is open to the public and it is closed when used by the king for state functions like state banquets for visiting heads of state, official government receptions and the presentation of new ambassadors to the king.

40°25′5″N 3°42′50″W / 40.41806°N 3.71389°W / 40.41806; -3.71389

  • Main facade.
    Main facade.
  • The Royal Chapel.
    The Royal Chapel.
  • The staircase of the Royal Palace.
    The staircase of the Royal Palace.
  • The 'Room of Porcelain'.
    The 'Room of Porcelain'.
  • The Dining Room.
    The Dining Room.
  • The Royal Pharmacy.
    The Royal Pharmacy.
  • Fuente de las Conchas (Fountain of the Shells).
    Fuente de las Conchas (Fountain of the Shells).
  • Partial view of the Plaza de Oriente, with some of the statues of monarchs from the Royal Palace sculpted between 1750 and 1753.
    Partial view of the Plaza de Oriente, with some of the statues of monarchs from the Royal Palace sculpted between 1750 and 1753.
  • Campo del Moro.
    Campo del Moro.
  • Little house in the Campo del Moro.
    Little house in the Campo del Moro.
  • Sabatini Gardens, beside the north façade of the Royal Palace.
    Sabatini Gardens, beside the north façade of the Royal Palace.
  • Gardens beside the Royal Palace.
    Gardens beside the Royal Palace.

See also

References

  1. ^ Patrimonio Nacional «Royal Palace of Madrid».
  2. ^ Madripedia. «Palacio Real».
  3. ^ Chueca, pag. 15.
  4. ^ Chueca, pag. 16.
  5. ^ Chueca, pág. 17.
  6. ^ Chueca, pág. 18.
  7. ^ Chueca, pag. 18.
  8. ^ Chueca, pag. 20.
  9. ^ Chueca, pag. 21.
  10. ^ "?". patrimonionatcional.es.[dead link]
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