the Royal family still lives in the palace, sort of...
the fresco 'Religion Protected by Spain' by Corrado Giaquinto
ready for the palace tour
a view from the south
there is a long line waiting to get tickets
the Real Armeria
on the Plaza de la Armeria
one of the many tapistries that depict scenes from Don Quichote
Ferdinand II sponsored Columbus but also started the Spanish Inquisition
on the Grand Staircase
Palacio Real, the Royal Palace
Although the Spanish royal family lives somewhere else the
Palacio Real is still their official residence.
When not used for ceremonies,
parts of the palace are open to the public. Unfortunately you are not allowed to take pictures in most of the rooms.
The palace
sits on the ruins of the
Royal Alcazar that burned to the ground in 1734.
Construction took a long time but in 1764
Charles III could
finally move in.
With 3418 rooms
and almost 14 ha of floorspace the Palacio Real is handily Europe's largest royal palace.
Most impressive is the full marble
Grand Staircase with two lions on guard and the great frescos by
Corrado Giaquinto on the ceiling overhead.
the east facade facing Plaza de Oriente
the north side facing the Jardines de Sabatini
ornate laterns on the Plaza de la Armeria
the lions keep a close watch
from the Plaza de la Armeria you have a good view of the Catedral de la Almudena
the inner courtyard
