Palacio de Oriente

The Palacio Real de Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish king and, with a floor area of 135,000 square meters and more than 3,400 rooms, is considered the largest royal palace in Europe. It was built in the early 18th century, after a devastating fire destroyed the old Moorish Alcázar. King Philip V commissioned the architect Filippo Juvarra to design the new palace in order to demonstrate the power of the new Bourbon royal house. After Juvarra's death, Giovanni Battista Sacchetti and later Francisco de Sabatini took over as construction supervisors, and the four-winged complex was completed in 1764 under King Charles III. The High Baroque facades are distinguished by colossal pilasters, statues, and crowning vases, while the wide courtyard of honor leads through the Prince's Gate into the inner courtyard.

On a visit, you can admire the magnificent state rooms, including the Throne Room, the grand staircase, and the Hall of Mirrors. The interior combines Baroque and Neoclassical elements and houses an important art collection with works by Goya, Velázquez, Rubens, and Caravaggio. The extensive armory collections and the palace chapel with its historic organ are also part of the exhibition. Although the royal family lives at the Zarzuela Palace, the Palacio Real continues to be used for state receptions and official occasions.

The ensemble is complemented by the adjoining palace grounds with the well-kept Sabatini Gardens and, across the way, La Almudena Cathedral. With its twin towers, this more modern church forms an architectural counterweight to the palace. Together with the gardens and the Campo del Moro park, the Palacio Real is one of the top tourist highlights in the city of Madrid.