The Royal Palace has over 3,400 rooms and covers a vast area of more than 135,000 square metres. This makes it the largest royal palace in Western Europe. Even so, only a small part of it is open to the public. There are numerous private rooms, internal corridors and historic chambers that are rarely open to visitors.

Its enormous size was not merely a matter of luxury, but also a symbol of the Spanish monarchy’s power in the 18th century. When it was designed following the fire at the old Real Alcázar in Madrid, the intention was to build something that conveyed stability, grandeur and permanence. Every room, courtyard and corridor was designed to impress diplomats and foreign visitors from the very first moment.

Within the complex lies the Royal Armoury, considered one of the finest collections of weapons and armour in the world. It houses suits of armour worn by Spanish kings and emperors such as Charles V and Philip II. Some pieces were designed for warfare, whilst others were intended for royal ceremonies and parades.

In addition to their historical value, many of the suits of armour are regarded as true works of art. The metalwork, reliefs and decorations showcase the incredible craftsmanship of the period. Thanks to their excellent state of preservation, we can now see how the great monarchs and knights of centuries past dressed and fought.

Beneath the Royal Palace in Madrid lies a complex network of historic galleries, cellars and passageways that for centuries were essential to the running of the palace. Although many people visit the grand halls and royal chambers, there is another, far less well-known ‘world’ beneath the building.

These underground passageways were used primarily for the quiet workings of the court. Servants, cooks, guards and labourers could move about the palace without constantly crossing paths with the kings or important guests. In this way, official life appeared perfect and orderly, whilst hundreds of people worked behind the scenes.

The current Royal Palace in Madrid was built after the old Alcázar of Madrid was destroyed by a massive fire on Christmas Eve 1734. The fire raged for several days and resulted in the loss of numerous works of art, pieces of furniture and historical documents. Some paintings were saved because they were thrown out of the windows by servants or because they were in other rooms away from the fire. In the wake of the tragedy, King Philip V ordered the construction of a new, far more modern and imposing palace.