Madrid's Royal Palace

We had booked a small group, early morning tour of the Royal Palace while we were in Vancouver so we could avoid the huge crowds that come through when it opens to the general public.  We had to meet our guide at a plaza just outside of the park at 08:30.  It was cold (5c) and overcast and so we bundled up as best we could for the 10 minute walk from our apartment. Thankfully, the weather and temperature improved after we finished the tour.   

Rita and I bundled up in front of the monument to King Philip 1V in the Plaza Oriente which is in front of the Palace.  The plaza was created in 1844 by King Joseph 1 who ordered the demolition of the medieval houses on the site in order to improve his view from the palace.

Took this picture of the Royal Palace and parade grounds the day before our tour as we wanted to make sure we knew where we were going.  The Royal Palace was completed in 1755 by order of King Philip V after the old 9th century Moorish Castle burnt to the ground. The palace is the largest in Europe, by floor area (1,450,000 sq. ft.) and contains 3,418 rooms.  The current royal family do not live in the palace and it is only used for ceremonial occasions.

The Grand Staircase ceiling fresco depicts religion protected by Spain.  

No photos are allowed inside the palace rooms, so these are from the internet.  This is the ornate waiting room you are sent to before being received by the King.

This is a fabulous room that is all done in the rococo style.  It is called the Gasperini Room after the designer.  The intricate designes are covered in real gold and silver embroidery.  The room was used by King Charles 111 to dress for the days activities.

The Throne Room dates from Charles 111 in 1772.  This is where the Spanish Kings held their most important audiences to impress upon the guests the power of Spain.

The Almudena Cathedral faces the palace across the Plaza de la Armeria.  It's exterior is neo-classical to match the palace but the interior is neo-gothic.  The Cathedral was founded by King Alonso X111 to house the remains of his wife.  Construction began in 1878 and was finally completed 114 years later in 1992.

The Sabatini Gardens adjoin the north side of the Palace and are in the symmetrical French design.  Work began in 1933 under orders from Franco who wanted to remove control of the area from the royal family and move it to the people.  Unfortunately, the people were not allowed in the park until 1978 when they were opened by King Juan Carlos.