Exploring the Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain
Madrid tourism is booming like mad these days, and for good reason. With numerous must-see Madrid activities and attractions, including Madrid Royal Palace, this Spanish capital city is definitely a stunning European destination you can’t miss. In fact, Madrid, Spain has so many exciting options to choose among for your Spanish holiday, deciding which Madrid must-do activity or Madrid attractions to discover first can be a bit daunting. If you are planning a Madrid trip and are looking for inspiration and planning help, check out our Madrid activities itinerary, which offers a highlight reel of sorts for what you simply cannot miss on your Madrid, Spain holiday.
From rich cultural activities to more active — and even delicious — affairs, Madrid's must-do activities abound. But we wanted to use this particular article to highlight one of our absolute favorite Madrid must-see attractions, the Royal Palace of Madrid! Keep reading to learn all about this super special historical gem that is a big part of what makes any Madrid trip so magical.
Discover the Magic of the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain
Did you know that the Madrid Royal Palace is the biggest palace in all of Western Europe? In fact, it is actually among the largest royal palaces in the whole world! Just how big is it? The Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain spans an impressive 135,000 square meters, among which include a jaw-dropping 3,418 rooms! That is a lot of houseguests!
But in all seriousness, the sheer grandeur of this vast royal residence is astounding. And the best part is that you and I — any one of us mere mortals — can have access to this Madrid attraction, as it is now open to the public — access which visitors on their Madrid trip clearly take full advantage of, as the Madrid Royal Palace is said to host an estimated 2 million guests each year!
Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain: The Origin Story
The Royal Palace in Madrid was built in the 1700s at the request of King Philip V, who desired to use the grand structure as his official royal family residence. Fascinating fact: The Royal Palace is actually built on the very same site where the Moorish Alcázar palace in Madrid, Spain stood before it burned down due to a tragic fire on Christmas Eve in 1734. Even more fascinating “tea”: Spanish folklore features rumors that some rogue members of King Philip's court (who had French ties) actually started the fire on purpose — for the sole excuse to rebuild a far fancier palace a la mode (in the French style).
But back to the details. The revered architect Filippo Juvarra began the daunting undertaking of creating the Royal Palace in Madrid. However, he would pass away before he saw it to completion. The Royal Palace, instead, was completed by Juvarra's successor, Giambattista Sacchetti.
Decor and Design of the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain
Perhaps still jittery — or simply having learned their lesson — from the devastating fiery destruction of its predecessor palace, the Royal Palace was built with no wood in the building and is formatted entirely of vaults. This strategic design and layout were planned in order to limit damage in the event of another fire.
As well as acting as a royal residence, the Royal Palace also was designed to house Spain’s government offices, which explains its massive size. Although the famed Madrid palace was officially completed in 1751, further architects and leaders would add their artistic geniuses and preferences to the stunning structure throughout the years, among which included Francisco Sabatini, the preferred architect of King Charles III, who was actually the very first Spanish acting royal to reside in the palace.
The influence of King Charles III on Royal Palace art cannot be ignored. During King Charles III's reign, his penchant for Italian art and style “reigned”, as famed Italian painters would often be hosted as palace guests, using their time in Madrid, Spain to lend their genius to paintings, and to decorate its majestic royal residence with the most fabulous frescoes. But, let’s talk about today. In particular, what can you expect to experience as a visitor to the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain during your Spanish holiday?
What to Expect When You Visit Madrid's Royal Palace
As the Royal Palace remains the only official residence of a Head of State that is open to the public, visitors have the amazing opportunity to get an inside glimpse into all of the inner workings of a governing and royal world. It's quite a unique yet surprisingly perfect pairing!
Visitors stopping by the palace during their Madrid trip have several options as to how they will go about discovering this must-see Madrid attraction. They can choose to wander the Royal Palace in Madrid on their own, or they can opt to take a guided tour so they can learn a bit more in-depth detail about this amazing Madrid must-see attraction! And speaking of getting more in-depth detail, let’s dive into a bit of that here, shall we? Starting with what exactly visitors can expect to see and experience during a Madrid Royal Palace visit today.
Wondrous Rooms and Ruler Influence of the Royal Palace
Most of the main floor reflects the preferred style of King Charles III and his mastermind, Sabatini, with the Throne Room and the room dubbed the “Gasparini Chamber” the most prominent and well-known features that showcase that signature and very specific Italian-inspired rococo style.
Once the next Charles came along (Charles IV), Italian leanings toward architectural and art style gave way to more neoclassical elements, particularly seen in the French furniture chosen to fill the Royal Palace during this era. Also giving an appreciative nod to all things French was Ferdinand VII of Spain, who opted to fill the Royal Palace with what can only be described as a sparkling fantasia of French chandeliers.
The final Spanish ruler who really left his mark on the Royal Palace decor was Alfonso XII, who was noted as revamping the royal residence in 1879. Special nods also belong to Charles IV and Marie-Louise, of course, but perhaps the most significant features of note are the Royal Armoury and the Vienna collection.
Beauty Beyond Royal Palace Walls: Campo Del Moro Gardens
We would be remiss to pen an entire article about the splendor of the Royal Palace in Madrid without mentioning the stunning natural beauty that beckons to visitors just beyond the palace walls: the Campo del Moro Gardens. A new public park installed adjacent to the Royal Palace, Campo del Moro is definitely a must-see Madrid attraction in its own right. Spain’s King Philip II created the pristine park that spans an impressive 20 hectares of lush green space.
Luckily for visitors today, you no longer have to be among the royal elite to enjoy the stunning beauty found here, as any day of the week, you can come and enjoy Campo del Moro free of charge. And if you are extra lucky, your Madrid trip may even coincide with one of the many free concerts that are regularly held at Campo del Moro, which would definitely be a magical memory from your Spain trip that would stay with you forever.
Come Make Magical Memories in Madrid, Spain
Just a single visit to the Royal Palace is reason enough to travel to Madrid, Spain. Luckily, there are so many more must-see Madrid attractions to enjoy and discover beyond Spain’s royal residence!
Are you ready to make your dream Madrid trip a reality? We can help! Reach out today and let us tell you all about our amazing Madrid deals and Spain specials — all of which are perfectly catered to your travel preferences and needs. Don’t hesitate! Madrid is calling!
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