10 Royal Palace Of Madrid Facts That You Must Know!
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Facts about Royal Palace of Madrid

1. It took 18 Years to Complete the Construction
2. It is Renowned for its Lavish Interiors
3. The Throne Room is the Largest Room in the Palace
4. The Grand Staircase is Made from a Single Piece of Marble
5. The Change of Guards Ceremony is Still Held at the Royal Palace
6. The Palace Serves as the Official Residence of the Spanish Royal Family
7. It was Originally Constructed by Muhammad I
8. The Highest Point in the Palace is the Dome of its Royal Chapel
9. The Sabatini Gardens Were Not Designed by Sabatini
10. The Palace was once a Moorish Alcazar

Locally known as 'Palacio Real Madrid', it holds the rank of being Western Europe's biggest palace. It's extremely popular among tourists for its lavish furniture, unique frescoes, and lush green gardens. The Royal Palace of Madrid is a symbol of Spain’s rich historical and cultural heritage. 

You will be awe-struck by the Baroque-styled architecture of the Palace, which houses more than 3,000 rooms. Did you know that the Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the biggest palaces in Europe? It not only features grand architecture but also showcases a historic collection of more than 1,000 paintings.

So, whether you are a history enthusiast or an art lover, the Royal Palace has something for everyone. It offers you a sneak peek into the lifestyle that the royal families have maintained over the years. From the lush green gardens, and lavish interiors, to the grand courtyards, everything awaits to enchant you with its charm.

Here is a list of interesting facts about Royal Palace of Madrid:

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01

It took 18 Years to Complete the Construction

The palace was commissioned in 1736 by King Philip V after the 9th-century fortress, which originally occupied the ground, was destroyed by fire. One of the lesser-known Royal Palace of Madrid facts is that the king never got a chance to see its completion.

The first architect, Filippo Juvarra, started the grand project but passed away too soon. His successors, Giambattista Sacchetti and Francesco Sabatini, took over and finally wrapped it up in 1764. So, King Charles III had the honor of being the first to call this stunning palace home.

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02

It is Renowned for its Lavish Interiors

Get a chance to feast your eyes on the luxurious interior of the Royal Palace of Madrid. Interesting facts about the Royal Palace of Madrid reveal that it's among the biggest royal palaces in Europe, with more than 3,000 rooms. You can admire the royalty of the rooms that feature mahogany doors and Spanish marble used for flooring.

The palace also houses a variety of fascinating artworks by famous artists like Velázquez, Goya, and Caravaggio. You can also take a look at various items like watches, silverware, and porcelain, that once belonged to the royal families.

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03

The Throne Room is the Largest Room in the Palace

Visit the the biggest room in the Royal Palace of Madrid - the Throne Room. Also known as 'Salón del Trono', the room was designed by Giovanni Battista Sacchetti during the 18th century. You can take a look at the detailed Baroque architecture and luxurious interior decoration.

Admire the historic ceiling paintings, luxurious tapestries, and golden embellishments in the Throne Room. Enjoy taking a walk in the room and imagine how it must have felt to be the king. Among the fascinating facts about the Royal Palace of Madrid, is that its Throne Room is still used for various official events.

Recommended Read: Places to Visit in Spain
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04

The Grand Staircase is Made from a Single Piece of Marble

The Grand Staircase at the Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the most captivating things to see at the palace. The stunning staircase was originally built to showcase the Spanish philosophy of 'control' and 'strength' followed by the monarchs. Get a chance to see the spectacular architecture of the staircase which features around 170 steps.

You can also admire the two lions made out of marble, located at each end of the staircase. These lions mark a mighty entrance to the colossal halls and ceremonial rooms. Royal Palace of Madrid's interesting facts reveal that the Grand Staircase was built from a single block of San Agustin marble.

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05

The Change of Guards Ceremony is Still Held at the Royal Palace

Back in the day, a changing of the guards ceremony was held to relieve exhausted guards of their duty and bring in a fresh unit. Among the most interesting Royal Palace of Madrid facts is that it still hosts the event twice every week. Similar to how Buckingham Palace has its Changing of Guards ceremony, the Royal Palace also hosts its march.

Find the best spot at the Plaza de la Armenia, and watch the Guardia Real transfer their shift duties to the new group of guards. The 2-hour-long ceremony is held at 11:00 PM at the palace, every Wednesday and Saturday.

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06

The Palace Serves as the Official Residence of the Spanish Royal Family

You'd be amazed to know that the Royal Palace of Madris has been home to the royal families for over 2 centuries. King Alfonso XII is known to be the last Spanish king who stayed in the palace. Even today, it stands as a symbol of architectural excellence and houses centuries of history. The palace remains the official home of the present king and his family.

But, they don't use it as their permanent residence and have moved to Madrid's Palace of Zarzuela. However, If you want to know if the Royal family is visiting the palace, just check if the flag is hoisted on the Palace. It's considered to be one of the lesser-known facts about the Royal Palace of Madrid.
07

It was Originally Constructed by Muhammad I

Did you know that the Royal Palace of Madrid was once an Islamic Fortress? Its journey from being a 9th-century fortress to a lavish royal residence has been awe-inspiring. Originally, the fortress was built by Muhammad I, who was Cordoba's Quraysh Commander. Having witnessed the rise and fall of empires, it eventually became the royal residence of rulers like Philip II and Charles I.

The luxurious palace that the world knows about today, was a project that Philip II began. After declaring Madrid as Spain's capital, he began the renovation and expansion of the palace which now stands as a symbol of power and grandeur.

Recommended Read: Places to Visit in Madrid
08

The Highest Point in the Palace is the Dome of its Royal Chapel

During the 18th century, Spain's King Philip V added another feather to his cap. He called upon Filippo Juvarra, an Italian architect, to build a Royal Chapel. Yes, that's how the royal families maintain their luxurious lifestyles. Filippo Juvarra built the Royal Chapel which showcased Baroque-styled architecture with his artistic craftsmanship.

Another one among Royal Palace of Madrid interesting facts is that the chapel happens to be the highest point of the Royal Palace. It came to be known as the royal family's official chapel and housed a precious collection of historical artefacts.

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09

The Sabatini Gardens were not Designed by Sabatini

Take a walk in the lush green gardens of the historic palace, with beautiful sculptures, and historic fountains all around. From the edge of the gardens, you can see the entire town of Madrid, that's how fascinating Sabatini’s Gardens are.

Originally built by Francesco Sabatini in the 18th century, it is also popular by the name 'Campo del Moro'. Among the most  Royal Palace of Madrid facts is that it hosts a music festival called 'Los Veranos de la Villa'. If you're a music enthusiast, it's one event you wouldn't want to miss.

Also Read: Things to Do in Madrid
10

The Palace was once a Moorish Alcazar

A Moorish fortress used to stand in the same place during the 19th century. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in a fire 1734 during Spain's Islamic period. It wasn't until 1738, that the construction of the Royal Place began at the same piece of land.

The Royal Palace was built on King Philip V's orders and flaunted an extraordinary architecture based on neoclassical designs. Its huge art collection and lavish interiors brought about a reform in the way royal Spanish residences were built.

People Also Ask About Spain

  1. What is an interesting fact about the Royal Palace of Madrid?

    One of the most interesting facts about the Royal Palace of Madrid is that it has more than 3,000 rooms. It's known to be among the biggest palaces in all of Europe. The palace was built during the 18th century, in the place of Madrid's Alcazar, which was an Islamic fortress. The palace showcases stunning interiors based on Neoclassical and Baroque styles, that reflect the the royal heritage of Spain.
  2. How long did it take to build the Royal Palace of Madrid?

    It took 18 years to complete the construction of the Royal Palace of Madrid. It was first commissioned by King Philip V in 1736, right after the Moorish Alcazar was destroyed by fire. Its construction was headed by Filippo Juvarra, an Italian architect, who died before its completion. Giambattista Sacchetti and Francesco Sabatini, his successors, continued the project and completed its construction in 1764.
  3. How many rooms are in the Royal Palace in Madrid?

    There are more than 3,000 rooms in the Royal Palace of Madrid. The layout includes grand halls, royal apartments, and many chambers which reflect the luxurious design of the Spanish palace. Some of the Royal Palace of Madrid's interesting facts describe the Royal Palace as one of the biggest in Europe.
  4. What is the Royal Palace of Madrid known for?

    The Royal Palace of Madrid is known for its impressive architecture based on the Baroque style. It's also known to be the official residence of the royal family of Spain. Other than being a tourist attraction, it is mostly used for hosting official ceremonies and events. The palace is popular among tourists for its lavish interiors, artworks, and a variety of historical artefacts.
  5. What happened at the Royal Palace of Madrid?

    The Royal Palace of Madrid has witnessed a variety of events throughout its history. Some of them include events like official banquets, state ceremonies, coronation, and more. Some of the interesting facts about the Royal Palace of Madrid include its construction on the same grounds as the old Moorish Alcazar. The Alcazar was a 9th-century Islamic fortress built by Cordoba's Muhammad I and was destroyed by a fire.
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