Palacio Real
Okay I want to show you where I’ve been.
Palacio Real or The Royal Palace of Madrid is located on Calle de Bailén near metro stop Operá. Students under 26 years old get in for €5 on Sundays starting at 4p.m. I however, haven’t retrieved my TIE card (foreign residency card) yet, even though it’s been ready for a while… well because I’m a little irresponsible sometimes, so I paid €10 no big deal.
I am not able to show the intricate details of every colorful room we walked through because it is prohibited to take photos in the majority of the palace. I was allowed to snap a photo (above) of the entryway, a beautiful vault fresco to set the scene for the rest of our tour.
Our self-guided tour, lead us through variously themed rooms inside the palace. Each room differing from the last and yet, still complementing the next. Out of all the gold paint, meticulous sculptures, detailed tapestries, and lavish paintings, the most eye-catching art piece I noticed: the Greek god Atlas. There’s a different version of his statue carrying the world on his shoulders in more than a few rooms. I must say he makes an endearing focal point.
Aside from adoring the dark reds and deep royal blues, there are two rooms that I’d like to highlight for you. The first one is a dressing room that was used for Carlos III. It’s a green Chinoiserie styled room –a decorative style in Western art, furniture, and architecture, especially in the 18th century characterized by the use of Chinese motifs and techniques. It stands out against the other rooms because of its unique decorative style. You can find some Google images here.
The second room I think worth mentioning is a room made entirely out of porcelain. It’s one of the smallest rooms in the palace created from ceramics made by the Royal Porcelain Factory. You can find Google images of the room here, and you will also see the Greek god Atlas in the middle. It’s the second room that sets itself apart from the rest because of its unique design and material.
Fun Facts:
The current royal family resides in Palacio de la Zarsuela but the Royal Palace is still occasionally used for royal ceremonies.
The rooms hold a good selection of Goyas, 215 absurdly ornate clocks, and five Stradivarius violins still used for concerts and balls (Spain, Lonely Planet).
From what I’ve read, the original palace was named, Real Alcázar de Madrid or The Royal Alcázar of Madrid (Alcázar = Muslim Fortress) and there was a fire in 1734 burning it to the ground, but the new palace is built on the same site.
Overall it’s an easy expedition with friends or to go alone, rain or shine.
If you would like more information about the Palacio Real just follow this link.
Thanks for reading!