his area, one of the most extensive woodlands in Madrid, includes among other spaces, the Zarzuela Palace, the usual residence of their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain. The lush vegetation in the countryside around the Monte de El Pardo safeguards the privacy of the palace occupants.
These 16,000 hectares of woodland were used as a hunting estate for the monarchy. Since the Middle Ages it has been the site of a variety of buildings such as the Casita del PrÃncipe (Prince’s House) and the convents of the Franciscan Concepcionista and Capuchin orders. This last convent was founded by Philip III, and conserves in its interior a figure of a recumbent Christ by Gregorio Hernández, and the Virgin of los Ãngeles by Francisco de Rizi.
* About the Royal Palace of El Pardo
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About the Royal Palace of El Pardo
Detail of the façade of the Royal Palace of El Pardo
In the mid 15th century Henry IV of Spain ordered a small castle to be built where the king and queen and their courtiers could rest when they went hunting. Charles V demolished the hunting pavilion and built a palace which was subsequently destroyed by fire, and rebuilt by Philip V.
It was finally completed in the reign of Charles III. Its present layout is similar to the castle from the late middle ages, and it has the same general appearance, with turrets at the front corners. In the past century it was home to several different occupants, and since 1983 it has been the residence of foreign Heads of State on official visits to Spain.
The décor
Detail of the décor of the Royal Palace of El Pardo
Each king left his mark on the sumptuous décor: Philip II was responsible for most of the interior elements, including the frescos by Gaspar Becerra; the paintings by Carducho and Cabrera date from the reign of Philip III.
Nearly all the tapestries preserved today in the Royal Palace of El Pardo are from the Royal Tapestry Factory in Madrid. They were embroidered from cartoons created by Bayeu, Castillo and Goya. Highlights of the art collection include the portraits of Isabella the Catholic Queen, Juan de Flandes, and Don Juan José of Austria on horseback, painted by Ribera.
La Quinta del Duque del Arco ( Duke of Arco’s House)
La Quinta del Duque del Arco
There are other stately buildings concealed within the town of El Pardo itself. An outstanding example is the Quinta del Duque del Arco, donated to King Philip V and Elizabeth Farnese in 1745.
Notable architectural buildings include a palace (decorated with wallpaper and luxurious carpets), the farmhouse and its lands and gardens with fountains and statuary.
Source: Turismomadrid.com
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Tourism un Madrid: Royal Palace of El Pardo Wednesday, October 31st, 2007 a las 3:50 am y esta categorizada en
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