HOME to the Spanish Royal family, Madrid’s stunning £600million Royal Palace boasts a throne hall and a royal armoury room.
Facing the Spanish capital’s Plaza de la Armeria, the beautiful palace is one of the largest in the world with over 3,400 rooms.
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Madrid’s Royal Palace is one of the few official residences of a Head of State that is open to the public as its stunning architecture and impressive art collection attract millions of tourists from across the world.
While it is no longer the royal family’s home, it remains their official residence.
The Palace sits on the site of the old Alcázar of Madrid, a medieval fortress that was turned into a palace in 1561.
With a history dating back to the 9th century, the Palace was designed by Italian architect Filippo Juvarra and completed by Juan de Villanueva.
One of the most special features of the Palacio Real is the Grand Staircase, designed by Sabatini in 1789 which has over 70 steps.
The Throne Hall dates back to 1772 and features a ceiling fresco by Tiepolo, called The Apotheosis of the Spanish Monarchy.
The Royal Armoury boasts a massive collection that includes weapons and armour worn by the kings of Spain and other members of the royal family since the 13th century.
The Palace also has The Halberdier’s Room, which was turned into the Guards Room by Charles III.
The Palace’s Painting Gallery has a number of valuable art pieces including work by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Goya, Federico Madrazo and Sorolla.
It also has the Royal Chemist’s which has natural medicine cabinets including ceramic pots made by La Granja de San Ildefonso in the 19th century and even prescriptions given to members of the royal family.
The Royal Chapel is home to a collection of string instruments made by the legendary Antonio Stradivari while the Palace’s Cocina Real is believed to be the oldest well-preserved kitchen of a royal residence in Europe.
Another popular feature of the property is the stunning gardens known as Campo del Moro.
The palace also offers stunning views of the city, including the Sabatini Gardens and the Almudena Cathedral.
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