Madrid · Europe » Sights (67)

Madrid, Spain

The Royal Palace was commissioned in the early 18th century by the first of Spain's Bourbon rulers, Felipe V, on the same strategic site where Madrid's first Alcázar (Moorish fortress) was built in the 9th. Before you enter, admire the classical French architecture on the graceful Patio de Armas. King Felipe was obviously inspired by his childhood days at Versailles with his grandfather Louis XIV. Look for the stone statues of Inca prince Atahualpa and Aztec king Montezuma, perhaps the only tributes in Spain to these pre-Columbian American rulers. Notice how the steep bluff drops westward to the Manzanares River -- on a clear day, this vantage point also commands a view of the mountain passes leading into Madrid from Old Castile, and you'll see why the Moors picked this particular spot for a fortress.

Inside, 2,800 rooms compete with each other for over-the-top opulence. A nearly two-hour guided tour in English winds a mile-long path through the palace. Highlights include the Salón de Gasparini, King Carlos III's private apartments, with swirling, inlaid floors and curlicued, ceramic wall and ceiling decoration, all glistening in the light of a 2-ton crystal chandelier; the Salón del Trono, a grand throne room with the royal seats of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía; and the banquet hall, the palace's largest room, which seats up to 140 people for state dinners. No monarch has lived here since 1931, when Alfonso XIII was deposed following a republican electoral victory. The current king and queen live in the far simpler Zarzuela Palace on the outskirts of Madrid, using this palace only for official occasions.

Also visit the Biblioteca Real (Royal Library), with a first edition of Cervantes's Don Quijote; the Museo de Música (Music Museum), where five stringed instruments by Stradivarius form the world's largest such collection; the Armería Real (Royal Armory), with historic suits of armor and frightening medieval torture implements; and the Real Oficina de Farmacía (Royal Pharmacy), with vials and flasks used to mix the king's medicines. When planning a visit here, note that the Royal Palace is closed during official receptions. COST: EUR8, guided tour EUR9; Royal Armory only EUR3.40. OPEN: Apr.-Sept., Mon.-Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-3; Oct.-Mar., Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 9-2.