Royal Palace of El Pardo

The Royal Palace of El Pardo (Spanish for "Royal Palace of El Pardo " ) is a castle northwest of Madrid and one of the former summer residence of the Spanish royal family.

History

Was built the palace of Emperor Charles V, who in the immediate vicinity of the capital had a hunting lodge here and this was considerably expand. There was a mehrflügeliger construction of an approximately square ground plan, which was damaged by fire in the 18th century to the extent that under Philip V. a baroque building was considered, which received more than double to base and grouped around several courtyards. The work was first under Charles III. completed. For the 500 - year celebration of the palace in 1983 the so-called Bourbonenhof was covered with a glass roof, which makes it possible to use this courtyard as the ballroom.

The palace was, like all the residences of the royal family, most precious equipped. Thus, the throne room is decorated with a fresco by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and the castle houses today a large collection of important paintings and other works of Goya.

The palace was modernized by Francisco Franco and regularly inhabited, he was here during the Spanish Civil War, also a lot of stolen art treasures gather here and received state guests. Evita Perón in 1947 followed an invitation to Spain and spent a few days here.

Today, the castle serves as the guest house of the Spanish government. Parts of the palace, the palace garden, the chapel and the study of the caudillos, as well as his bedroom are accessible during guided tours.