Tuesday, 25 August 2009

Spain : Palacio Real Espana


By Geoff Newlands

If you're visiting Madrid, Spain and you would like to view classical architecture in all it's splendor, then you need to visit Palacio Real. Palacio Real, or the Royal Palace is world renowned for its statues and gardens among other things. The Palace took 25 years to be built, and until 1931, the Palace was occupied by a line of Spanish rulers, who used it as the center of a powerful dynasty that controlled half of the world - or what was known of it during the 18th century.

The palace is so elaborate that you would not be able view its entirety in one just day, though less than ten percent of the palace is available to the public. The Palacio Real contains almost three thousand rooms, two hundred and forty balconies and over forty staircases, all decorated with luxurious furniture and ornate decorations.

You'll see the Throne Room, from which the plans and strategies of what was once the world's greatest superpower were formulated, and the Royal Armory, which displays a number of weapons and armor, along with a range of medieval torture implements used in the Spanish Inquisition.

The tour also takes in the famed Royal Library, where various first editions of significant Spanish literature are held, the Royal Pharmacy, where you'll gain an insight into past medical practices, and a magnificent banquet hall, at which some of the most famous European rulers ever have dined.

The Palacio Real also offers awesome views of the Manzanares River, which you can see after you have perused the most famed gardens in all Madrid, the Royal Gardens. You also need to make time for the changing of the guards which is sure to be a highlight of your trip.

A guided tour of the palace, lasting about two-hours, is the ideal way to both see the sights and to learn the history. A tour costs only $30, but you should register in advance as they sell out quickly - especially during the summertime. Photography is prohibited, but you do have the option of purchasing picture books and postcards when the tour is over, so you can remember what you saw inside.

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