Royal Palace. The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the kings of Spain. Grand Royal Palace in Bangkok how to get there

The main architectural attraction of Madrid is undoubtedly the Royal Palace (Palacio Real de Madrid). It is one of the largest royal palaces in Europe and the official residence of the Spanish royal family. It is open to the public, so those who wish can see with their own eyes the luxurious halls and valuable art objects of a bygone era.

History and description of the Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace is not only one of the main attractions of Madrid, but, one might say, the origin of the city. The history of the palace dates back to the 19th century, the historical period of Arab rule in the Iberian Peninsula, when a defensive fortress was built on this site. After the reconquest of the territory by the Christians and as the city expanded, this defensive building gained more and more importance. In the 16th century, during the time of Philip II, the alcazar (so the Spaniards called the Arab fortresses) became the official residence of the kings of Spain. However, in 1734 a massive fire on Christmas Eve destroyed the medieval building.

Then King Philip V, the first of the Bourbon dynasty, decided to build a new palace to replace the fortress destroyed by fire. He entrusted the construction to the best European architect of the time - Filippo Juvarra. However, after the development of the project in 1736, Juvarra died, so the work was continued by his talented student Giovanni Battista Sacchetti. First stone of the Royal Palace was founded in 1738, completed in 1751. The first monarch who lived in this palace was Charles III (son of Philip V), the great defender of the arts and culture of the Spanish kingdom.

The result of the construction was the current palace, which towers majestically above the Oriental Square in Madrid. (Plaza de Oriente). Because of its location, it is also called the Oriental Palace despite being located in the westernmost part of Madrid. The dimensions of the palace are truly impressive, on a huge area of ​​135.000 sq.m. located 3 418 rooms- it is almost twice as large as Buckingham Palace or Versailles Palace!). It keeps a unique artistic heritage in the form of valuable paintings, sculptures, frescoes, tapestries, porcelain and furniture from the time of its construction to the present day.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official royal residence but is used only for receptions, ceremonies and other solemn events . The royal family of Spain lives in another palace - Zarzuela, in the suburbs of the capital, which is why the Royal Palace in Madrid is open to visitors throughout the year. Thanks to its luxurious facade and magnificent interiors, the Royal Palace attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.

What to see at the Royal Palace of Madrid

The interiors of the palace surprise with rich decoration and a large number of rare works of art. The entire interior of the building is full of valuable items, from simple lamps and cutlery to sculptures and tapestries. That is why today the palace is considered a little, a lot like real art museum.

First floor of the Royal Palace of Madrid

• Royal Library(Real Library). It was founded in the 18th century and contains about 300 thousand works, 5 thousand manuscripts and more than 30 thousand copies of handwritten text from different eras.

• Royal Pharmacy(Real Botica) . Recreated in the form in which it was during the reign of Kings Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII at the end of the nineteenth century.

• Royal Armory(Real Armería) . One of the most significant collections of weapons and armor in the world. There are valuable military exhibits dating back to the 15th century.

• General archive of the palace(Archivo General de Palacio). It was created in 1814 after the Napoleonic invasions in order to preserve the heritage royal dynasty Spain.

• Royal kitchens(Reales cocinas) . They were created in the year the palace was built in the 18th century, but restored and opened to the public only in 2017. Occupies an area of ​​2000 sq. m. and offer an exhibition of more than 2000 objects.

Second floor of the Royal Palace of Madrid

• Main staircase(Escalera principal) . It was designed in 1760 by the eminent Italian architect Francesco Sabatini and reformed during the early years of the reign of Charles IV. Marble and granite were used for its construction. The main staircase is decorated with frescoes by Corrado Giacquito and sculptures of lions.

• Gasparini Hall (Cámara de Gasparini). Considered one of the most beautiful halls of the palace, its decoration dates back to the reign of Charles III. The hall was designed by the Italian architect Matias Gasparini in the Rococo style (and named after him), and it has been preserved to this day almost in its original form.

• Throne room (Salón del Trono). This is one of the main halls of the Royal Palace in Madrid. Its name is due to the fact that here is the official throne of the King of Spain and his wife. Nowadays, celebrations and receptions are held in the hall, although the Spanish monarchs no longer occupy the throne, and it remains purely symbolic. The throne room is made in the Rococo style by the Italian master Tiepolo. It is worth noting here the unique frescoes, embodying the greatness and strength of the Spanish monarchy, silver crystal chandeliers of the Venetian era and valuable sculptures surrounding the Spanish throne.

• Porcelain Hall (Gabinete de Porcelana). It was created during the time of Charles III under the influence of similar structures in Naples and Sicily. The porcelain hall was built in the late Baroque style and decorated with porcelain panels based on sketches by Italian craftsmen. The floor of the room is made of colored marble and is one of the most beautiful decorative elements designed by Gasparini.

• Hall Alabarderos (Salón de Alabarderos). It was conceived as a ballroom or dining room, but Charles III turned it into a hall of the guards who guarded the building of the Royal Palace. In the hall of Alabarderos, the fresco painting that adorns its vault, as well as Tuscan pilasters and stucco laurel branches, stands out.

• Hall of Mirrors (Salon de Espejos). This neoclassical room was used by the wife of Charles IV. Pink marble baseboards and walls are covered with fine stucco, which is dominated by white and blue colors. The large mirrors that served as the name of the room are also topped with white stucco on a blue background. This is one of the most beautiful rooms in the palace! Separately, it is worth mentioning a marble statue depicting the daughter of Alfonso XIII when she was a child.

• Hall of Columns (Salón de Columnas). The architecture of this hall exactly matches the architecture of the main staircase. Until 1879, royal balls and banquets were held here. Today, the Hall of Columns is used for receptions and meetings, and the Christmas tree of the Royal Palace is also installed here.

• Royal Chapel(Real Capilla). The chapel was made between 1750 and 1759 by architect Ventura Rodriguez. The artist Corrado Giaquinto was commissioned to design the decoration of the Royal Chapel and painted the frescoes of the chapel and atrium himself. It also features works by prominent European masters Philippe de Castro, Ramon Bayeu and Anton Raphael Mengs. More recently, the Royal Chapel has been used for the funerals of the Spanish royal family.

• Crown Hall (Sala de la Corona). Located in the chambers of Queen Maria Christina, this room has been remodeled to house the symbols of the constitutional monarchy. The crown comes from the reign of Charles III and is made of engraved, embossed and gilded silver. The scepter dates from the reign of Charles II and is made of rock crystal, gilded silver, enamel and garnet.

• Private quarters of the royal family(Cuartos) . Also in the Royal Palace of Madrid you can see the room of the king, the room of Charles IV, the room of the Infanta do Luis, the room of Queen Maria Luis.

Art collections

• A unique collection of Stradivari violins

• A collection of frescoes and paintings, among which it is especially worth paying attention to the works Diego Velazquez, Francisco Goya, Francisco Bayeu, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Luca Giordano and Caravaggio

• Valuable sculptures, including creations Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, Mariano Benliure, Antoine Coisevox and Agustina Querol.

• Collection of furniture, watches, porcelain, tapestries, jewelry

The Royal Palace in Madrid houses a large number of artistic objects of the most diverse nature: from paintings and sculptures to utensils. Due to lack of space, some works of art are not exhibited, so it is planned to build a separate museum building.

Useful information about the Royal Palace of Madrid

1. The best day to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid is Wednesday when the changing of the guard takes place. Every 30 minutes from 11:00 to 14:00, the watchmen of the palace, dressed in the uniform of the Spanish army from the time of Alfonso XIII, carry out the changing of the guard, which is accompanied by the sounds of drums and flutes. The changing of the guard takes place near the southern façade overlooking Armory Square. And on the first Wednesday of the month, a solemn changing of the guard is held - an even more impressive sight.

2. If you want the tour of the palace to be interesting and eventful, then be sure to purchase audio guide in Russian. Its cost is 4 euros. Alternatively, you can download the application with an audio guide in the AppStore or PlayMarket, its cost will be $2. The application is called: Palacio Real de Madrid.

3. If you have planned a visit to the Royal Palace in advance, then it is better to purchase an electronic ticket on the official website, so as not to stand in line at the box office, which is sometimes very impressive, especially in the morning.

4. Please note that inside the palace, with the exception of the main staircase, photography is prohibited. And museum staff are always vigilantly watching tourists.

5. If you have a European residence permit, then you can visit the Royal Palace of Madrid for free at the following times:

• October to March: Monday to Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00
• April to September: Monday to Thursday from 18:00 to 20:00

6. The Royal Palace also opens its doors for a free visit on May 18(International Museum Day) and 12 October (National Day of Spain).

7. After visiting the Royal Palace, be sure to take time for a walk through the Royal Gardens of Campo del Moro and the Sabatini Gardens. The gardens of Campo del Moro offer a magnificent view of the Royal Palace.

The Grand Royal Palace is an obligatory point of the program and, probably, the most significant sight of Bangkok. I would say that this is a must see for every tourist coming to the city, such as Red Square in Moscow, the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Tower of London. Therefore, upon arriving in Bangkok, my husband and I first of all went to inspect the palace, and I can say that indeed many other tourist places in the city fade against its background. By the way, we are avid tourists, and have already managed to travel around many countries, see a large number of beautiful and amazing places, but even despite our experience, the Royal Palace managed to delight and charm us.

From the moment you enter the territory of the palace, you never get tired of being amazed by its beauty! Amazing architecture, a riot of colors in everything, sacred places and temples, numerous sculptures of mythical animals and the opportunity to touch history - that's what I remember.

The only negative that I noticed is a large influx of tourists. Particularly annoying are the noisy Chinese bands and their yelling guides. I would still like to be able to contemplate such beauty in relative silence and loneliness. But, probably, the territory of the palace is always so crowded and nothing can be done about it.

Otherwise, the place is definitely beautiful, interesting and worth a visit. By the way, in the evening, when the lights turn on, the palace also looks amazing, so after dark I advise you to take a walk around the palace.

History of the Grand Royal Palace

First, let me tell you a little about the history of this attraction. It began in 1782 when King Rama I decided to make Bangkok the capital of Siam and commissioned the construction of his residence. During its existence, the palace was rebuilt many times, restored and changed its appearance, which is not surprising, because every monarch wanted to remake it for himself.

Initially, the buildings were wooden, but over time they were almost completely replaced by stone ones. From the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century, Grand Palace served as the official residence of the reigning monarch. But after mysterious death King Rama VIII in 1946, the royal family moved to another palace, also in Bangkok.

Now the Grand Royal Palace is not residential, but still serves as a venue for important state receptions and royal ceremonies. It is a whole complex of buildings and covers an area of ​​218 thousand m².

How to get to the Grand Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is located in the old part of the city, on the banks of the Chaopraya River, its address is Thanon Na Phra Lan, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. Below you can see its location on the map of the city.

Unfortunately, there is no metro station near it, but there are other ways to get to your destination. To get to the Royal Palace in Bangkok, you can use one of the many options, which I will discuss in more detail.

On foot

For tourists staying on Khao San Road, Chinatown or Riverside, it is not difficult to walk to the palace on foot, since these areas are in close proximity to the palace. So for example, from Khaosan road to the sights is only 2 km.

You can also walk from Chinatown. The road from Chinatown will take about half an hour, which, in principle, is also not so much.

But from other parts of the city you will either have to take a taxi or use public transport.

public bus

For budget tourists, there is an opportunity to save money and get to the Royal Palace in Bangkok by city bus. Since my husband and I stayed quite far from the center on our visit to the city, this is exactly the option that we used in the end. And I can say with confidence that on a trip to public transport there is nothing to worry about, but at the same time, the savings in terms of money are tangible, and at the same time there is a flavor.

The bus ride will cost $0.17–0.72 (6–25 baht), depending on the distance, and is by far the cheapest option unless you are walking. Here are some of the routes that follow to the Royal Palace: No. 1, 3, 9, 15, 25, 30, 32, 33, 39, 43, 44, 47, 53, 64, 80, 82, 91, 201, 203, 501, 503,508, 512. The only disadvantage of such a trip is its duration. So, for example, my husband and I had to make a transfer and get on two buses. We spent more than an hour on everything about everything, perhaps for someone it will be too much, but we are very philosophical about such things. By the way, we compiled our route using Google maps and found all the stops and buses without any problems. You can also ask at the reception of your hotel which buses run near you.

Taxi or tuk tuk

For those who want to get there quickly and comfortably, there is always the opportunity to hire a personal transport. In Bangkok, this can be a taxi or a tuk-tuk. The only thing is that the cost must be discussed with the driver in advance. If you take a taxi, it is best to ask the driver to turn on the meter, but even here various frauds are not ruled out.

The meter price starts from $ 1 (35 baht) for 2 km, further, for each subsequent kilometer, $ 0.14 (5 baht) is added, somehow there are still money for standing in a traffic jam, but here I can’t provide accurate information Can. When choosing a tuk-tuk, the price must be discussed in advance, for this it is advisable to ask your hotel staff how much such a trip should cost in order not to overpay, or check on the Internet.

By water transport

If you live near the metro, then you can try to combine the metro and the boat. By metro you need to get to the Saphan Taksin station, where you can get to the pier from which express boats run along Chaophraya and take a boat to Tha Chang pier, located within walking distance from the Royal Palace (a boat trip will cost $ 0.5 (15 baht)).

This is how we got back, after sightseeing in the center, we got on a boat that took us to the metro. Also, with the help of a water taxi, you can swim through the city canals, but this is not the most convenient way, since the nearest water taxi stop (Phan Fa Liat) to the attraction is almost 2 kilometers from the palace. The cost of such a trip starts at $0.5 (15 baht) from the Siam area, and increases depending on the distance.

Opening hours and ticket prices for the Grand Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is open daily from 8:30 to 16:30, but you should pay attention that ticket sales stop at 15.30, and after this time new visitors are not allowed to enter.

The ticket price is $15 (500 baht) per person, by paying $6 (200 baht) you can rent an audio guide, where there is Russian. My husband and I took one for two, and that was enough for us. It is also worth bearing in mind that there is a dress code on the territory of the palace, and if you are dressed inappropriately (short shorts or a skirt above the knees, a T-shirt or a sleeveless T-shirt), then you will need to rent clothes. This service at the palace is free, but you will need to leave an additional $6 (200 baht) deposit per person. All I can say is you better take care of yourself. appearance in advance, because the clothes that are given out in the yard leave much to be desired, and my husband, for example, flatly refused to be photographed because of the ridiculous pants that they gave him there. My advice is not to spoil your mood and photos, you should immediately dress accordingly.

What to see on the territory of the Grand Royal Palace

Unfortunately, far from the entire territory of the palace is accessible to tourists, for example, the entrance to the royal residence and offices is closed. But even what is in the public domain is more than enough to impress, amaze and exhaust visitors. Visitors can enjoy visiting pagodas, temples, palaces, as well as visit the museums and galleries of the palace complex.

The territory of the palace is quite large and boasts a huge number of attractions, which are indicated on the map below.

As can be seen from the yellow numbers indicating this or that interest, there is something to see there. Of course, I will not tell you about every place, I will focus only on those that, from my point of view, deserve more attention, and I will start in order.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Buildings 1–12 belong to the temple complex dedicated to the Emerald Buddha. For me it was the most interesting and memorable part of the palace. And I advise you to spend most of the allotted time here. The main attractions include: the Royal Library, the Royal Pantheon, the Golden Stupa and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha itself.

Many tourists visit the Grand Royal Palace just to see the Emerald Buddha, which is considered the main protector of the state. Read more about the temple complex in a separate one.

Phra Maha Montien group of buildings

Buildings marked on the map with numbers from 16 to 25 are part of the so-called Phra Maha Montien group. It was here until 1946 that the official residence of the king was located.

Here you should pay attention to Amarindra Winichai Hall (room 16), where the hall for receiving high-ranking guests is located. Amarindra Winichai Hall is open to tourists on weekdays. And in Paisan Taksin Hall (17) there is a throne room. In addition, in the territory of the former royal residence there are various pavilions, for example, the place where the monks blessed the king's food, the pavilion for bathing before important ceremonies, the ward for rest, dressing and much more. You can learn about all this from the signs and signs.

Chakri Maha Pasat Hall

One of the unusual and memorable buildings on the territory of the complex is Chakri Maha Pasat Hall (number 26 on the tourist map). You do not need to study architecture to notice that it is different from all others. If not for the Thai roof, I would say that this is some kind of European palace. Such a bizarre design came about due to controversy that arose during its construction. The building was built under King Rama V in the 19th century to receive royal guests. The king wanted the building to be built in a European style, but his family insisted on the need to adhere to Thai traditions, and this whimsical mix was born. It is said that he is jokingly called a European in a Thai hat.

At the entrance to the building there is a guard of honor, with which everyone is photographed. Here I could not resist and took a picture with serious but nice guards. They say at a certain time you can watch the changing of the guard here, but we didn’t get to it, so when this happens and how it remains a mystery to us.

And on weekdays you can visit the exhibition of royal weapons, but I no longer had the strength or desire, but my husband went while I was resting in the shade of the trees, but I didn’t notice much enthusiasm in his eyes.

Dusit Maha Prasat Hall

At number 31 is the throne room, which was built during the reign of Rama I (the founder of the palace). It was the first throne room in the complex. It is also open to the public only on weekdays, and it is worth looking into it if only to see a beautiful carved wooden throne, decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay, and the bed on which the king rested between audiences.

This is where we ended our tour of the Grand Royal Palace. Of course, it was also possible to visit museums located on the territory, for example, the Emerald Buddha Museum, the Museum of Weapons, the Museum of Coins, but, to be honest, we didn’t have much desire and we had to run to other sights of the capital.

And finally, based on my experience, I would like to give some tips that may come in handy when visiting the Grand Royal Palace:

• It is best to visit the Grand Royal Palace in the morning, when it is still not so hot and there are not so many "package" tourists who are usually brought by 10-11 o'clock. This is the line we found at the entrance to the palace, it was just around 10 am.

• For inspection, you need to allocate at least half a day and be sure to take an audio guide to listen to interesting stories related to the history of the complex.
• At the entrance, they give out a good map of the palace with a description of its sights for free, so you don’t need to buy a map from vendors near the entrance.
• Also, you do not need to be led to other attempts to rob you. At the very entrance to the palace, you can be met by cunning Thais (sometimes they even come across dressed in the uniform of guards or employees of the palace), who will tell you that the palace is not working today and offer their tours, or, seeing that you are dressed inappropriately, they will try dress you for money, although you can take things on the territory of the palace for free on bail.
• Keep a close eye on your things: thieves often spin even on the territory of the palace, which is often reminded by the loudspeaker.
• Do not buy tickets by hand as they are more likely to be counterfeit.
• You should not take large backpacks with you or try to get to the palace right away from the airport / train station, since there are no left-luggage offices there, and with bulky bags you simply will not be allowed into the territory. At the entrance, the contents of the bags are checked and everyone is escorted through the frames.
• But still, it is advisable to prepare a small backpack with everything you need: sunscreen, water, a small snack, because the inspection can drag on for a good half a day.
• The best thing would be to combine a visit to the Grand Royal Palace with other attractions that are in the neighborhood, namely (Wat Pho / Wat Pho) and the Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun / Wat Arun).

Have a nice trip!

Long before Madrid became the capital of Spain, Emir Mohamed I built an Alcazaba fortress in Magerita (the Arabic name for the city) to protect Toledo from Christians. After the conquest, this fortress was used from time to time by the kings of Castile, and in the 14th century became what is known today as ancient alcazar. Since the reign of Charles I and his son Philip II, this fortress has served as the permanent residence of monarchs. But in 1734 the building was destroyed by fire. by decree PhilipV a modern palace was erected on this site.

The project was originally commissioned Filippo Juvarra, but the final drawings were made after the death of the architect by one of his students - Giovanni Battista Sacchetti. Seventeen years passed from 1738, when the first stone was laid, until the completion of the construction of the palace, which was erected by decree of Philip V. The first monarch who settled here and initiated the interior design was CharlesIII, who is often called the "king-mayor" of Madrid, because it was during his reign that the city truly changed. His successors - Charles IV, thanks to whom the Hall of Mirrors appeared, and Ferdinand VII - decorative elements were added: clocks, furniture, chandeliers and candelabra.

The structure of the building is borrowed from Bernini's drawings on which the Louvre in Paris was built. The building has a rectangular shape with a courtyard in the center and a gallery. The main entrance is located on the southern facade overlooking the Armory Square. Depending on the needs of the crowned inhabitants of the palace, the interior decoration of each hall and their distribution changed over the years.

Of the more than 3 thousand rooms of the Royal Palace of Madrid, the one created by Sabatini deserves special attention. Main staircase, consisting of more than 70 steps, Throne room with painted ceiling Tiepolo, Hall of Halberdiers, a ballroom converted by Charles III into a hall of the royal guard, Gasparini Hall, characterized by rich decoration with floral motifs, Royal Pharmacy, where cabinets for medicinal plants, ceramic dishes, bottles of the La Granja manufactory and even recipes compiled for members of the royal family have been preserved, royal chapel, which presents a collection of stringed instruments of the legendary Antonio Stradivari.

Royal Armory and Art Gallery

The armory of the Royal Palace houses one of the most valuable collections of its kind. Here are the weapons and armor of the Spanish monarchs and members of the royal family since the 13th century. In turn, in the art gallery you can see some of the masterpieces of the National Heritage, such as "The Virgin and Child" Luis Morales, portrait of Isabella the Catholic brush Juan de Flandes and "Salome with the head of John the Baptist" Caravaggio. Also featured are some paintings. Velasquez, Goya, Federico Madrazo And Sorolla.

royal cuisine

Royal Kitchen of the Royal Palace - the best sample of the historical kitchens of European royal residences that have survived to this day, which is considered as such both for its size and the degree of preservation, interest and importance of kitchen accessories. In the Royal Kitchen, which occupies an entire wing of the first basement, all historical buildings have been preserved, updated in more in the period from 1861 to 1880 by order of Isabella II and then Alfonso XII.

Since the autumn of 2017, after a complete restoration of the premises, as well as the exhibits presented here, the Royal Kitchen has been open to visitors. We invite you to familiarize yourself with various options tours and rates on the official website.

Every Wednesday (with the exception of July, August, September and those days when any official events are held or when weather conditions prevent it), a solemn ceremony takes place in the Royal Palace

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The official residence of the Spanish monarchs, the Royal Palace of Madrid is located in the western part of the city on the site of an ancient Moorish fortress. Its construction began in 1738 and was completed in 1764, during the reign of Charles III. Today it is one of the main attractions of the Spanish capital: the facade of the palace is a masterly mixture of architectural features of the Baroque, Rococo and East, in the interiors you can admire the paintings of Caravaggio, Goya, Tiepolo, Velazquez and admire the collection of ancient weapons and Stradivari violins, and then take a walk through the magnificent gardens - Campo del Moro and Sabatini, descending to the Manzanares River itself.

Today, the Royal Palace is used only for the official ceremonies of Juan Carlos II, and the rest of the time it is open to the public.

A bit of history

The Royal Palace in Madrid is the heir to a long "dynasty" of royal residences that were located in the past in its place. In the Middle Ages, there was a Moorish fortress of the emirs of Cordoba and Toledo, which then gave way to the Habsburg castle, which burned down in 1734. The history of the current building begins in 1735, when King Philip V, who ascended the throne, ordered that a semblance of the Palace of Versailles be erected in Madrid. Three architects successively worked on the project of the Royal Palace, and in 1738 its construction began in the Italian Baroque style with numerous references to oriental motifs. Construction lasted almost 30 years and was completed only in 1764. King Charles III was the first to settle here, and since then the palace has been officially considered the Royal residence. True, today it is used only for official ceremonies, and the rest of the time, to the delight of tourists, it is open to the public.

The interior of the Porcelain Room, as the name implies, is made of porcelain, and in the Hall of Mirrors you will repeatedly be reflected in dozens of large and small mirrors.

What to see

The Royal Palace of Madrid is a pearl of baroque architecture, no less beautiful inside than outside. Everything here is to match the well-being of imperial Spain: a majestic facade, amazing interiors, lush gardens...

After admiring the appearance of the palace, hurry inside. On the ground floor there is a royal library with more than 300 thousand ancient manuscripts and old books, a pharmacy - today the Pharmacopoeia Museum and an armory room with an impressive collection of horsemen in full armor.

Climbing up the pompous staircase to the second floor, pay attention to the ceiling frescoes of Corrado Giaquinto. You will see some more beautiful frescoes on mythological scenes in the Salon of halberdiers, and the Salon of Columns is a real chronicle of Spanish architecture. The pearl of the Gasparini Room is a stunning rococo crystal chandelier. The interior of the Porcelain Room, as the name implies, is made of porcelain, and in the Hall of Mirrors you will repeatedly be reflected in dozens of large and small mirrors. The throne room is the most luxurious room in the palace, an abundance of red velvet and gilding. Also worth seeing is the collection of Stradivari violins (plus one cello) and the collection of paintings with paintings by Caravaggio, Goya, Tiepolo, Velazquez and Diego de Ribera.

Royal Palace

Practical Information

Address: Madrid, Calle Bailen, Palacio Real. Web site

Opening hours: daily from 9:30 to 17:00 from October to March and from 9:00 to 18:00 from April to September, on Sundays and public holidays- only in the morning.

Every European country has historical palace complexes that impress with their scale and luxury. Tourists are well aware of Versailles and the Louvre, Windsor and Buckingham castles, Prague Castle, the Roman Quirinal, the Vienna Hofburg. But the most grandiose monarchical residence in Western Europe This is the Royal Palace in Madrid.

The Royal Palace (Palacio Real de Madrid) is located on a hill near the banks of the Manzanares River. In the Middle Ages, the fortress of the Muslim emirs of Toledo stood on this site, and after the transfer of power to the Christians, the Habsburg Alcazar palace was built in its place.

In 1734, the building was destroyed by fire, and in its place, King Philip V of Bourbon ordered the construction of a new baroque palace complex that could compete in luxury with the French Versailles. Italian architects Filippo Yuvarra, Giovanni Battista Sacchetti and Francesco Sabatini were invited to build. The project used the ideas of Lorenzo Bernini, the creator of the Louvre in Paris.

The new castle was built from 1738 to 1764, and its interior decoration was improved until the end of the 19th century. The first monarch who settled here was Charles III. The palace served as the residence of the rulers of Spain until 1931.

Today, the Palacio Real de El Pardo is occupied by the royal family, and the Palacio Real is used as a museum and venue for important official ceremonies.

Sights of the palace complex

Palacio Real is one of the main attractions of Madrid. The dimensions of the building are amazing: the total area is 13 hectares, there are 3418 rooms inside (this is almost twice as much as in Versailles or Buckingham Palace). About 2,000 of them have now been restored, but tourists are only allowed in 50 rooms.

The Royal Palace has a rectangular shape, in the center there is a patio with galleries. The building was erected on a hill, so from the side of the river its foundation rests on special platforms.

The palace was built in the Italian baroque style with elements of rococo and oriental motifs. Thanks to this, he received his second name - Palacio de Oriente (Oriental Palace). The main architectural element of the southern facade is Doric pilasters, between which windows and balconies are placed. On the sides of the main entrance are Tuscan columns. The walls are faced with granite, the relief details are made of marble and white Colmenara stone.

The main entrance of the palace is located on south side and “looks” at the spacious Armory Square (Plaza de la Armería). On the opposite side, a spacious front courtyard closes the building of the neo-Gothic cathedral of Almudena.

On the east side, the Eastern Square (Plaza de Oriente) adjoins the royal residence. This is an extensive pedestrian zone, which includes historical monuments and recreation areas with picturesque flower beds.

In the center of the square is the equestrian statue of Philip IV, created in 1640 by the Italian sculptor Pietro Tacca. On the north side is an alley along which 20 sculptural images of Spanish rulers from different eras lined up.

Part of the area is occupied by the gardens of Lepanto and Cabo Noval, planted with banana trees and cedars. On the east side of the square closes the neoclassical building of the Royal Theatre, built in 1818-1850.

On the western side of the palace, you will find the Campo del Moro garden, a popular recreation area for citizens and tourists. In big picturesque park installed a statue of Queen Isabella II. In the heat, guests are cooled by fountains transported from the palace in Aranjuez, the summer residence of the royal family. In spring, when the hedges and trees are in bloom, the park turns into one of the most colorful and romantic places in the Spanish capital.

On the territory of Campo del Moro there is a pavilion in which the Carriage Museum is open. Here are collected ceremonial carriages, landaus, carriages and other horse-drawn carriages that once carried the Spanish kings. Some exhibits have been preserved since the 14th century. In addition, the exposition features exquisite saddles and richly decorated horse blankets.

Until the 30s of the 20th century, stables built by Francesco Sabatini, one of the architects of the complex, were located on the north side of the palace. Later, the dilapidated buildings were demolished and a landscape park was set up on the vacant site, which received its name in honor of the legendary architect.

Park landscapes are decorated with sculptures created by cutting coniferous trees, fountains and flower beds. During the summer, the Sabatini Gardens host celebrations and music festivals.

Unlike many European palaces, the interiors of which were almost completely destroyed during the Second World War and later restored from photographs and drawings, all the historical interior decoration of the Royal Palace in Madrid is original and in excellent condition.

The Royal Library occupies the northwest corner of the palace and is located on two levels. Its interior and bookshelves are made of mahogany.

The library has a huge collection of historical manuscripts and printed publications, old notes, geographic Maps, drawings and graphics - about 300,000 exhibits in total. You can visit the library only for the purpose of scientific research with a special pass.

In the Royal Pharmacy you will see an unusual exposition - a collection of bottles, jars, vials and pots for medicines, which were made from the Middle Ages to the present day. In the past, these containers were used to store potions and medicines used to treat the Spanish kings.

The Armory is one of the most interesting and spectacular halls of the palace. It stores the military armor and weapons of members of the Spanish royal family. Here you can see armor, helmets and swords dating back to the 13th century, tournament armor of Charles V and Philip II, made by famous armourers in Italy and Austria. Some of them are personally branded by the legendary Filippo Negroli from Milan, who is recognized as the best master of knightly armor of all times and peoples.

The Royal Kitchen was opened to the public in 2017. Its area is about 2000 square meters. Here you can see ovens, frying stoves, kitchen utensils and dishes that were used to serve palace dishes. This is one of the largest and best preserved historic palace kitchens in Europe.

Second floor premises

The second floor of the palace can be reached by the main staircase designed by Francesco Sabatini. The steps and railings are made of marble and granite. In the upper part of the hall there are lens windows that provide natural light. The rococo allegory frescoes decorating the vault are by Corrado Giaquinto, director of the Spanish Academy of Fine Arts, teacher of Velasquez and Goya. There are sculptures of lions on the balustrade.

The Alabarderos Hall, which tourists enter from the main staircase, was designed for balls and dinner parties. Its walls are decorated with pilasters and images of laurel branches, and on the ceiling you can see one of the unique elements of the decor of the palace - a huge fresco, which in allegorical form depicts the greatness of Spain and the valor of King Charles III. The painting was created in 1764 by the legendary artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, an outstanding decorator of the 18th century. The images on the ceiling panels are so light and airy that there is an illusion of an open sky above your head.

The decor of the Hall of Columns combines smooth pilasters and exquisite carved wood supports, images of lions, satyrs and other mythological creatures. Throughout its history, the hall has served as a venue for important official events in the history of Spain, and this tradition continues today. Large diplomatic receptions are held here, international conferences(NATO summit and others), presentation of national sports awards.

In 1985, an association agreement between Spain and the EU was signed in the Hall of Columns, and in 2014, the abdication ceremony of King Juan Carlos I and the transfer of royal powers to his son Philip VI took place here.

The throne room is the most luxurious room in the palace. Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and Giovanni Battista Natali took part in its design (the latter designed the mirrors, frames, cornices and walls). The Throne Room is considered one of the most spectacular Rococo rooms in the world. Its walls are covered with velvet embroidered with gold and silver threads, all relief elements are gilded. On the pedestal and steps of the throne near the chairs of the king and queen there are life-size figures of gilded lions.

The chapel is one of the most original architectural sights of the royal residence. The atrium, columns and voluminous medallions on the dome with lens windows form an unusual spatial composition.

The temple has an organ built in 1778, made by the best master of the 18th century, Jordi Bosch. The instrument is still in working order. Armchairs and decoration of the royal box have been preserved since the time of Ferdinand VI. Upholstered in white satin and colored silk with silver embroidery.

Other rooms of the palace are distinguished by no less exquisite decoration:

• The Gasparini Chamber is decorated in a fantasy Chinese style with rococo elements. Its walls are decorated with silk embroidery, marble floors and furniture are designed in the same style. The room has a musical clock with figures that can move and dance, the work of the famous Swiss watchmaker Pierre Jacquet Droz.
• The porcelain cabinet is lined with colored marble panels and painted ceramic tiles.
• The walls of the Hall of Mirrors are covered with fine stucco ornamentation, the frames of the mirrors are decorated with magnificent stucco and gilding.

Tourists can visit the private chambers of the Spanish rulers of different eras: the apartments of Isabella de Farnesi and Maria Luisa de Parma, the office of Charles IV.

Art collections of the palace

The King's Palace in Madrid holds a large number of art collections - from paintings and sculptures to porcelain and watches. Due to lack of space, many of these works of art are in the museum's storerooms. Now, between the Armory Square and the Almuden Cathedral, the Museum of Royal Collections is being built, which is planned to house valuable historical exhibits. The most important historical collections of the palace are the following:

• Stradivari Stole is a set of string instruments by the most famous master of the world Antonio Stradivari for the classical chamber quartet (two violins, viola and cello). All these instruments are decorated with ornaments, which distinguishes them from other products of the master. In addition, there is one Stradivari cello in the collection, which is not included in the set. All these instruments were purchased by King Carlos IV in 1775.
• The painting of the Royal Palace at one time was transferred to the Prado National Museum for storage, so relatively few artworks remained in the castle. But they are all of great value and belong to different eras. On the walls of the halls and in the gallery you can see paintings by Spanish, Italian and Dutch artists: Goya, Velasquez, Jose de Ribera, Caravaggio, Luca Giordano, Rubens, David Teniers the Younger, Luis de Morales and many others.
• The collection of sculptural works is relatively small, but the names of their authors are well known to connoisseurs of art. In the palace there are works by the founder of the Baroque style in sculpture Lorenzo Bernini and the master of realism of the 19th century Mariano Benliure.
• The furniture in the palace is genuine, it is not the product of a later restoration. In the halls you can see elegant tables, chairs, chests of drawers and bureaus in the Empire, Neoclassicism, Baroque and Rococo styles.
• The Palacio Real de Madrid watch collection is considered one of the largest and most valuable in the world. There is a clock by the Swiss master Droz, a Calvary clock made in Nuremberg, and many other unusual items with unique designs and finishes.
• The collection of ancient tapestries of the Royal Palace in Madrid is recognized as the richest in the world after the Quirinal in Rome. There are 16th-century canvases from Brussels and products from the Royal Tapestry Factory in Madrid, including drawings based on sketches by Francisco Goya.
• The jewelry exposition presents the family jewels of the Spanish kings, artistic silver and gold utensils. The most interesting specimens are the El Estanque diamond weighing 100 carats, which King Philip II bought in Antwerp and presented to his bride Isabella de Valois, and the legendary Perla Peregrina (La sola) pearl from Panama.
• The palace also houses the symbols of Spanish royalty. The crown was made during the reign of Charles III of gilded silver, the scepter was made under Charles II. These attributes are used in some official ceremonies, but the rest of the time they are kept in the museum and are available for public viewing.

Reference information for tourists

Address: Plaza de Oriente / Calle Bailen, 6, Palacio Real.

You can get there:

• By metro - lines 2 and 5, Opera station.
• By bus - No. 3, 25, 39 and 148.
• On foot - from the city center from Plaza Mayor along Calle Mayor.

Working hours:

• Royal Palace:

Visitor access is through the door of the Almuden esplanade, corner of Calle Bailen.

• Gardens of Campo del Moro:
  • from October to March daily at 10.00-18.00;
  • from April to September daily at 10.00-20.00.
• Sabatini Gardens - daily at 8.00-21.00.

Tickets to the Royal Palace:

• Full price – €
• Reduced price (children aged 5-16, students with an ISIC card, citizens of the EU or Ibero-American countries over 65) – €
• For organized tourist groups – €8/person.
• Children under 5 years old - free of charge.

Additional services:

• Palace guide – €
• Audio guide rental – € There is an audio guide in Russian.
• Temporary exhibitions can be visited at no extra charge, with a regular ticket.

The palace has created conditions for tourists with disabilities.

The museum can be visited free of charge:

• May 18 (International Museum Day) citizens of any country.
• October 12 ( National holiday Spain) citizens of any country.
• From Monday to Thursday at 16.00-18.00 from October to March and at 18.00-20.00 from April to September EU citizens who have issued a residence or work permit in EU countries, citizens of Ibero-American countries (by appointment, with an identity card ).

The gardens of Campo del Moro and Sabatini are free to enter.

Interesting facts about Palacio Real de Madrid

Many interesting things are connected with the Royal Palace. historical facts. We bring to your attention some of them:

• Palacio Real de Madrid is the largest royal palace in Spain, but by no means the only one. There are five more palaces in the country that bear the name Palacio Real: in San Idelfonso, Aranjuez, El Pardo, Riofrio and Almudena.
• Wood was hardly used in the construction of the Royal Palace in Madrid. After the fire that destroyed the previous castle, the king ordered the construction of a new one from non-combustible materials.
• Philip V, by whose order the Palacio Real de Madrid was built, was the first representative of the Bourbon dynasty on the Spanish throne. For 300 years, the kings of this family lost power three times for a long time, but each time they regained it. The current reigning monarch, Philip VI, is also a Bourbon.
• From 1808 to 1813 the Spanish throne was seized by Joseph Bonaparte, the elder brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. His official residence was at the Palacio Real de Madrid, and he ruled the country under the name José I Bonaparte. But the Spaniards did not recognize his authority and contemptuously called "the first and last." And so it happened - there were no other Bonapartes on the Spanish throne.
• The last monarch who lived in the palace was Alfonso XIII of Bourbon. He went into exile after Spain's transition to a republican form of government in 1931. His son Juan Carlos returned to the throne in 1975 after the death of dictator Franco.
• Interestingly, General Francisco Franco, who seized power in Spain in 1939 and ruled the country in the tradition of autocracy, never lived in the Palacio Real de Madrid. He chose to settle in the Royal Palace of El Pardo on the outskirts of the capital.
• The sculptures of the Spanish kings, which now adorn the Plaza de Oriente and the parks near the palace, were originally planned to be installed on the upper cornice of the building. But when they were made, the architect calculated their total weight and decided that it would be better to put them in the park.
• The monument to Philip IV, installed in the Plaza de Oriente, is the world's first equestrian statue, in the composition of which the horse rests only on its hind legs. To correctly calculate the center of gravity of the sculpture and prevent it from tipping over, the sculptor Pedro Tacca turned to the famous mathematician and astronomer Galileo Galilei.
• The unique Pearl Pilgrim weighing 58.5 carats has amazing story. It was found in 1515 in Panama and sent by the mayor of the city to King Philip II of Spain. The jewel passed from father to son until 1808, when it was captured by Joseph (Jose) Bonaparte. Later, it was in the possession of Napoleon III, famous European aristocrats and American millionaires, crossed the Atlantic several times, until it appeared at an auction in New York in 1969. There her bought actor Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor. The actress remained the owner of the pearl until her death. It wasn't until 2011 that Pearl Pilgrim returned to the Royal Palace.
• In the Armory you can see the armor of Charles V, in which the king posed for a portrait famous artist Titian. Now this portrait is kept in the Prado National Museum.
• Two flagpoles are installed above the main facade of the palace. On one of them you can see the flag of Spain, the second is empty. When the Bourbon family standard appears on the second flagpole, it means that the king has come to the palace for an official ceremony. On such days, access to tourists to the palace is closed.

Annually, Palacio Real de Madrid is visited by about 1.5 million tourists.

Conclusion

The Royal Palace of Madrid is an outstanding monument of the Renaissance. Currently, a museum is open in the Palacio Real. Tourists are always interested in the architecture of the building, its interior decoration, unique collections of works of art presented in the halls. When visiting the palace, you should definitely take a walk through the picturesque palace parks.

Royal Palace of Madrid: Video