The Royal Palace of Madrid
A visit to the Royal Palace in Madrid was definitely on the wishlist of the
Allaboutroyalfamilies blog. Finally in March 2022 a dream came true.
The Royal Palace in Madrid didn't disappoint me, on contrary, due to its
splendid rooms full of royal history.
History
The palace was initially built by Muhammad I, Umayyad Emir of Cordoba,
between 860 and 880. After the Moors were driven out of Toledo in the
11th century, the castle retained its defensive function. Henry III of Castile
added several towers.
between 860 and 880. After the Moors were driven out of Toledo in the
11th century, the castle retained its defensive function. Henry III of Castile
added several towers.
His son John II used it as a royal residence. During the War of the Castilian
Succession (1476) the troops of Joanna la Beltraneja were besieged in
the Alcázar, during which the building suffered severe damage.
Succession (1476) the troops of Joanna la Beltraneja were besieged in
the Alcázar, during which the building suffered severe damage.
Emperor Charles V, with the architects Alonso de Covarrubias and
Luis de Vega, extended and renovated the castle in 1537. Philip II
made Madrid his capital in 1561 and continued the renovations,
with new additions. Philip III and Philip IV added a long southern
facade between 1610 and 1636.
Luis de Vega, extended and renovated the castle in 1537. Philip II
made Madrid his capital in 1561 and continued the renovations,
with new additions. Philip III and Philip IV added a long southern
facade between 1610 and 1636.
Charles V
Source picture: Wikipedia
Philip V of Bourbon renovated the royal apartments in 1700.
The Alcázar of the Habsburgs was austere in comparison to
the Palace of Versailles where the new king had spent his childhood;
and he began a series of redesigns mainly planned by Teodoro
Ardemans and René Carlier, with the main rooms being redecorated by
Queen Maria Luisa of Savoy and the Princess of Ursins in
the style of French palaces.
The Alcázar of the Habsburgs was austere in comparison to
the Palace of Versailles where the new king had spent his childhood;
and he began a series of redesigns mainly planned by Teodoro
Ardemans and René Carlier, with the main rooms being redecorated by
Queen Maria Luisa of Savoy and the Princess of Ursins in
the style of French palaces.
Philip V of Spain
Source picture: Wikipedia
On Christmas Eve 1734, the Alcázar was destroyed by a fire that
originated in the rooms of the French painter Jean Ranc. Response
to the fire was delayed due to the warning bells being confused
with the call to mass. For fear of looting, the doors of the building
remained closed, hampering rescue efforts. Many works of art were
lost, such as the Expulsion of the Moors, by Diego Velázquez. This
fire lasted four days and completely destroyed the old Alcázar,
whose remaining walls were finally demolished in 1738.
originated in the rooms of the French painter Jean Ranc. Response
to the fire was delayed due to the warning bells being confused
with the call to mass. For fear of looting, the doors of the building
remained closed, hampering rescue efforts. Many works of art were
lost, such as the Expulsion of the Moors, by Diego Velázquez. This
fire lasted four days and completely destroyed the old Alcázar,
whose remaining walls were finally demolished in 1738.
Italian architect Filippo Juvarra oversaw work on the new palace
and devised a lavish project of enormous proportions inspired
by Bernini's plans for the Louvre. This plan was not realized, due
to Juvarra's untimely death in March 1736.
and devised a lavish project of enormous proportions inspired
by Bernini's plans for the Louvre. This plan was not realized, due
to Juvarra's untimely death in March 1736.
His disciple Giambattista Sacchetti, was chosen to continue the
work of his mentor. Sacchetti designed the structure to encompass
a large square courtyard and resolved sightline problems by
creating projecting wings.
work of his mentor. Sacchetti designed the structure to encompass
a large square courtyard and resolved sightline problems by
creating projecting wings.
In 1760, Charles III called upon Sicilian Francesco Sabatini, a
Neoclassical architect, to enlarge the building.
Neoclassical architect, to enlarge the building.
In the 19th century, Ferdinand VII, who spent many years
imprisoned in the Château de Valençay, began the most
thorough renovation of the palace. The aim of this redesign
was to turn the old-fashioned Italian-style building into a
modern French-style palace.
imprisoned in the Château de Valençay, began the most
thorough renovation of the palace. The aim of this redesign
was to turn the old-fashioned Italian-style building into a
modern French-style palace.
However, his grandson Alfonso XII proposed to turn the
palace into a Victorian-style residence. Alfonso's plans were
designed by the architect José Segundo de Lema and consisted
of remodeling several rooms, replacing marble floors with parquet,
and adding period furniture.
palace into a Victorian-style residence. Alfonso's plans were
designed by the architect José Segundo de Lema and consisted
of remodeling several rooms, replacing marble floors with parquet,
and adding period furniture.
Alfonso XII of Spain
Source picture: Wikipedia
In the twentieth century, restoration work was needed to repair
damage suffered during the Spanish Civil War, by repairing or
reinstalling decoration and decorative trim and replacing
damaged walls with faithful reproductions of the originals.
damage suffered during the Spanish Civil War, by repairing or
reinstalling decoration and decorative trim and replacing
damaged walls with faithful reproductions of the originals.
The Style
The main facade of the Palace, the one facing the Plaza de la Armeria,
consists of a two-story rusticated stone base, from which rise Ionic
columns on Tuscan pilasters framing the windows of the three
main floors. The upper story is hidden behind a cornice which
encircles the building and is capped with a large balustrade. This was
adorned with a series of statues of saints and kings, but these
were relocated elsewhere under the reign of Charles III to
give the building a more classical appearance.
columns on Tuscan pilasters framing the windows of the three
main floors. The upper story is hidden behind a cornice which
encircles the building and is capped with a large balustrade. This was
adorned with a series of statues of saints and kings, but these
were relocated elsewhere under the reign of Charles III to
give the building a more classical appearance.
The restoration of the facade in 1973, which includes Sabitini's
balcony of four Doric columns, returned some of Sachetti's sculptures.
balcony of four Doric columns, returned some of Sachetti's sculptures.
Nowadays
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish
royal family at the city of Madrid, although now used only for state
ceremonies.
royal family at the city of Madrid, although now used only for state
ceremonies.
The palace has 135,000 m2 (1,450,000 sq ft) of floor space and
contains 3,418 rooms.
contains 3,418 rooms.
👉 It is the largest functioning royal palace and the largest by
floor area in Europe.
floor area in Europe.
The palace is now open to the public, except during state functions,
although it is so large that only a selection of rooms are on the visitor
route at any one time, the route being changed every few months.
although it is so large that only a selection of rooms are on the visitor
route at any one time, the route being changed every few months.
The wedding banquet of Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz took place
on 22 May 2004 in the central courtyard of the palace.
on 22 May 2004 in the central courtyard of the palace.
Notes from the author
Although it is a magnificent royal palace, with a wonderful
history it was a little strange for me to see tapestries of Brussels
in Madrid.
history it was a little strange for me to see tapestries of Brussels
in Madrid.
This was a tangible thing that the Habsburgs once ruled in
Belgium (then the Southern Netherlands).
Belgium (then the Southern Netherlands).
👉 Interested in the Spanish Royal History? Check the page
The royal history of Spain on top of this blog or on this link.
The royal history of Spain on top of this blog or on this link.
Interested in more (royal) palaces in Madrid? Check the post
about the Palacio de Zurbano - The Birth Place of Queen Fabiola
of Belgium on this link.
about the Palacio de Zurbano - The Birth Place of Queen Fabiola
of Belgium on this link.
Pictures of the Royal Palace of Madrid, taken in 2022
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