Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the most emblematic monuments of the Spanish capital and the official residence of the King of Spain. Although no monarch has lived there permanently since Alfonso XIII, the royal family currently resides in the Zarzuela Palace. The building is primarily used for state ceremonies, official receptions, and solemn events.

The palace's origins date back to the 9th century, when Emir Mohammed I ordered the construction of a defensive fortress on the current site, taking advantage of the founding of Madrid by the Muslims. After the Christian conquest, the fortress was transformed into the Alcázar of Madrid, the residence of the kings of Castile and, later, of the Habsburgs. This Alcázar underwent numerous expansions and renovations, especially under Charles V and Philip II.

On December 24, 1734, a devastating fire destroyed the Old Alcázar, prompting King Philip V to order the construction of a new palace in keeping with the taste of the time and worthy of the Bourbon monarchy.

The construction of the Royal Palace began in 1738, initially following the designs of the architect Filippo Juvara, although it was his disciple Juan Bautista Sachetti who adapted and executed the final project. The building was built entirely of stone and brick to avoid the fire risks that the old fortress had suffered. The main work was completed in 1754, although the palace was not inhabited until 1764, when Charles III made it his permanent residence.

Over the centuries, the palace underwent extensions and renovations by architects such as Ventura Rodríguez and Francesco Sabatini, who contributed elements such as the Royal Chapel.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest in Western Europe, with 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms, almost double that of Buckingham Palace or Versailles. Its predominant style is Baroque, with influences from French and Italian Classicism, inspired in part by Bernini's sketches for the Louvre.

The building is surrounded by emblematic spaces such as the Plaza de Oriente, the Sabatini Gardens, the Campo del Moro, and the Plaza de la Armería. The main façade displays the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon and is adorned with sculptures of Visigothic kings and other historical figures.

The most notable architectural elements include:

The grand main staircase, crafted from a single piece of St. Augustine marble, crowned by a fresco by Corrado Giaquinto.

The Royal Chapel, with a valuable collection of relics and sacred art.

The Royal Library, which houses manuscripts, incunabula, and historical documents.

The Royal Armory, considered one of the most complete in the world, with pieces dating back to the 13th century.

The palace's interior is richly decorated with frescoes, tapestries, clocks, furniture, and works of art by great masters such as Goya, Velázquez, and Caravaggio. Highlights include Charles III's apartments, the Throne Room, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Pharmacy.

The palace also houses the Palatine Stradivarius musical instrument collection and one of the finest collections of porcelain, clocks, and tapestries in Europe.