Royal Palace of Madrid
Calle de Bailén, Madrid
- Built
- 1738-1764
- Architect
- Filippo Juvara og Giovanni Battista Sacchetti
- Style
- Italian Baroque and Classicism
- Royal house
- The Spanish Royal House
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official royal palace of Spain, although the royal family does not live here. It is used for state ceremonies, official receptions, and important events.
The palace is the largest royal palace in Western Europe by floor area, with over 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms. It was built on the orders of King Philip V after the old Alcázar palace burned down in 1734.
Construction began in 1738 under the direction of Italian architects. King Charles III was the first monarch to live in the palace when it was completed in 1764. The interior is magnificently decorated with frescoes by Tiepolo, Mengs, and Bayeu.
Today the palace is used for state banquets, audience presentations, signing ceremonies, and other official occasions. Large parts of the palace are open to the public and house an impressive collection of art, weapons, musical instruments, and royal treasures.