Introduction
The strategic hill
1300 years ago, during the Visigothic era, on the very same hill where Palacio Real de Madrid stands today, the first defensive castle was constructed. Its location was strategical due to the natural terrain. The castle was one of the defensive points along the road to Toledo. It is no surprise that the Muslims swiftly took control of the castle when they conquered the Iberian Peninsula. The castle was rebuilt into a true Arab fortress, and this period is considered by many as the beginning of the city’s history. That is where we recommend starting the exploration of the city.
To be precise from a very small park of Emir Mohamed I which is located behind 🔗 the Almudena Cathedral. To reach it you need to turn right from Bailen Street at the traffic lights. In this small park with a star-shaped fountain and lazily strolling cats, you will encounter the border of medieval Madrid. Preserved to this day, substantial parts of the Arab walls surrounded the main mosque. Although our gaze is mainly drawn to the Almudena Cathedral dominating the horizon today, don’t skip the wall. Touch its sturdy construction. It has withstood the passage of time and stands as a guardian of history, marking the medieval boundaries of the city. Madrid’s historical layers come alive through such remnants, connecting the present to its rich past.
Extensions, reconstructions, and fire
The Muslims eventually lost the fortress in 1083 when it was captured by Alfonso VI. Over the subsequent centuries, the castle known as the Real Alcázar was expanded and rebuilt by successive rulers of Castile. In the 16th century, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles I of Habsburg decided to transform the medieval castle into a Renaissance-style palace. During this time, the court resided in nearby Toledo, and the Alcázar often served as a stopover on the way to Valladolid or Burgos. His son, Philip II, continued the ambitious reconstruction, employing renowned architects from Italy, France, and the Netherlands. Despite the architectural constraints posed by the narrow medieval walls, subsequent Habsburg rulers carried on the work. Significant changes occurred in the 18th century when the first of the Bourbon dynasty, Philip V, ascended the throne. Born in Versailles and the grandson of Louis XIV, he left his mark on the Alcázar’s history. The king considered the former fortress too austere and outdated and did not want to reside there. He dreamed of creating a palace modeled after the Louvre. Meanwhile, the royal family resided in the now-lost Buen Retiro Palace. While King’s wife Maria Luisa Gabriela of Savoy an art lover, began transforming the rooms of Alcázar in a French style. Then, on the fateful Christmas Eve of 1734, a massive fire nearly consumed the castle. Fortunately, most of the priceless paintings survived taken to Buen Retiro. It was the catalyst for the reconstruction in the new dynasty style. The second wife of Philip V, the Italian Isabella Farnese also an art lover, advised him to engage Italian architects, resulting in the palace we see today. The square building with a central courtyard reflects Italian Baroque influences, constructed using granite from the Guadarrama Mountains and limestone from Colmenar. The construction, initiated in 1738, was completed in 1764, and the first host of the palace was Philip V’s son, Charles III. To prevent future fires, the new palace was entirely made of stone, with vaulted roofs, limiting the use of wood to structural and roofing elements.
The palace in the 20th and 21st centuries
During Franco’s dictatorship, the palace was known as the Palacio de Oriente, owing to its location on 🔗 Plaza de Oriente. Franco even considered residing there, but the idea was discouraged. Ultimately, he opted for a no less grand, yet less symbolic palace: 🔗 El Pardo Palace.
The Royal Palace currently serves as the official residence of the head of state, King Felipe VI of Spain. However, it is exclusively used for state ceremonies and formal events, while the royal family resides in the Zarzuela Palace. With a surface area of 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms, the Royal Palace is nearly twice the size of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Versailles. Within its walls, you’ll find a rich historical and artistic heritage, including a collection of musical instruments known as the Palatine Stradivarius, as well as paintings, sculptures, and tapestries. The ceremonial chambers and art collections are open to visitors, provided there are no official events taking place.
Visit
Planning the visit to the Royal Palace, we encourage to purchase a combined ticket for both the Palace and the Gallery. The Gallery is situated in a modern building added to the hillside and provides insights into the genealogy of the Catholic monarchs. This impressive museum is divided into two sections: A, dedicated to the Austrian dynasty, and B to the Bourbons. Besides the collection there are complementary historical and reconstruction films and a temporary exhibition. Currently there are royal carriages and automobiles presented till June 2024. There are two exits from the building. At the lower level that leads directly to the gardens, or at the upper level that takes you back to main entrance at the Palace level. Guided tours are available with an optional audio guide. Enjoy your exploration!
Planner
orientation: The individual visitors entrance is located at the square with the Almudena Cathedral. The palace, armory, and kitchen are in the same complex. The Gallery is situated outside the palace’s ticketed area, with the entrance on the left side of the viewing terrace, accessible from the square between the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral
visiting hours: (X-III) daily 10:00 am-6:00 pm; (IV – V) daily 10:00 am-7:00 pm
tickets: ticket office or 🌐 on-line, free tickets eg kids up to 5, UE Large families card holders
worth to see: changing of the guards ceremony, almost every Wednesday and Saturday at noon
🎫 Tickets online & ⏰ Open Hours
