| Palacio Real de Madrid , also called Palacio de Oriente or "Eastern Palace") is the official residence of the King of Spain and although King Juan Carlos does not live there (rather choosing the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela it is still used for state occasions most recently the wedding banquet of the heir apparent to the throne, Philip, Prince of Asturias as well as other state occasions.
The site of the palace dates from a 10th-century Moorish fortress and was constructed as an outpost by Mohammed I, the Emir of Córdoba and in 1036 it passed over to as an inheritance to the Moorish Kingdom of Toledo . After Madrid fell to Alfonso VI of Castile in 1085, the building was rarely used by until 1329, when King Alfonso XI of Castile called the cortes ( Parliament) of Madrid for the first time and in 1561 Philip II moved his court there, and from then on Madrid became the official capital of Spain.
The Alcázar - "Castle" was built on the location in the 16th century. It burned down in 1734 and King Philip V ordered a new palace built on the same location. Construction spanned the years 1738 to 1755 and followed a Berniniesque design by Filippo Juvarra and Giovanni Battista Sacchetti and Ventura Rodríguez , Francesco Sabatini and Scirmento . It was made the official Royal residence once more by Carlos III in 1764.
The tour will take in all of this vast palace ( it is in fact bigger than Buckingham Palace ) with viewings of such works by artists such as Velázquez Tiepolo, Gasparini, Juan de Flandes, Caravaggio, and Goya. There are several royal collections of great historical importance are kept at the palace, including the Royal Armoury and its weapons dating back to the 13th century, and the world's only complete Stradivarius string quintet, as well as collections of tapestry, porcelain, furniture, and other objets d'art of great historical importance.
Outside the Palace, the tour will include the Gardens of the Campo del Moro (given this name because in 1109 the Moorish leader Ali Ben Yusuf, encamped with his men in an attempt to recapture Madrid and its Alcázar from the Christians. Afterwards we will tour the Plaza de Oriente, where we will see the statues of all the ancient kings of pre-reconquista Spain as well as the Royal Opera House, and stunning cathedral of Almudena.
The tour comprises of entrance pass, English speaking historical guide and lasts for approxamitely 3 hours
The Royal Palace is open from:
- October to March : Monday - Saturday from 9.30am until 5pm, Sunday and holidays from 9am until 2pm.
- April to September: Monday - Saturday from 9am until 6pm. Sunday and holidays: from 9am until 3pm.
Please Contact us to reserve this tour.
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