Royal Palace of Madrid

A royal residence from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, the Royal Palace of Madrid offers a journey through Spanish history. Although not currently inhabited by the monarchs, the palace, managed by Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage), is the official residence of the kings. Visitors can now also explore its magnificent Royal Kitchen, the most outstanding example, preserved to this day, of historic kitchens in European royal residences, and the Antechamber and Sacristy, which had been closed to the public for over forty years.

Long before Madrid became the capital of Spain, Emir Muhammad I built a citadel in Magerit (the Arabic name for the city) to defend Toledo from the Christian advance. This structure was used occasionally by the kings of Castile until the 14th century, when it was transformed into what would become known as the Old Alcázar. Charles I and his son Philip II made the fortress the permanent residence of the monarchs. But in 1734 a fire destroyed the building, and Philip V ordered the construction of the current palace on its ruins. Although he initially commissioned Filippo Juvarra, it was his disciple, Giovanni Battista Sachetti, who drew up the final plans after Juvarra's death. Seventeen years passed from the laying of the foundation stone in 1738 until the completion of the works commissioned by Philip V. Charles III—known as "the Mayor King" for the numerous reforms and initiatives he implemented in the city—was the first monarch to live in the palace and was responsible for completing its decoration. His successors, Charles IV—to whom the Hall of Mirrors is attributed—and Ferdinand VII, added decorative objects to the ensemble, such as clocks, furniture, chandeliers, and candelabras. The building is inspired by sketches made by Bernini for the construction of the Louvre in Paris. It is structured around a square courtyard and features a gallery and a parade ground, where the palace's main façade is located. Both the decoration of each room and its layout have changed over the years, adapting to the needs of its royal inhabitants.