Royal Madrid

Description:

This former royal residence houses a fantastic collection of paintings (Velázquez, Caravaggio and Goya), sculpture, furniture, tapestries, glassware, gold and silverware, medals, porcelain and musical instruments. It is well worth visiting the rooms decorated by Gasparini as well as the Royal Pharmacy, the Library, and the Royal Armoury. King Felipe V commissioned the Italian architect Sabatini to design the palace, and work was carried out betwween 1738-1770.

Description:

Located opposite Palacio Real (Royal Palace), this is the city's largest, most elegant and peaceful square. It's a semi-circle of landscaped gardens planted with many varieties of trees and flowers. Statues of medieval kings line one of the walkways and Felipe IV takes centre stage. The horse he sits on was modelled on a Velázquez drawing. It's an attractive pedestrianized area with an underground car-park below and many smart cafés with outdoor terraces to choose from. The Teatro Real (Opera House) is just round the corner.

Description:

It is a real pleasure to wander around these attractively landscaped gardens. You will see examples of a wide variety of plants from all five continents - 30000 different species in total. They are all labelled with their Latin and Spanish names. Among them are medicinal herbs, sweet-smelling plants and flowers, food-bearing plants, and a collection of roses. There is also a greenhouse with tropical, subtropical and desert plants. The gardens have been open since 1791.

Our Local Expert Says:

Find the only statue dedicated to the fallen angel in Madrid.

Description:

It's known as the "lungs of Madrid" and few cities can boast such a large park (118 hectares) in such a central location. There's a large boating lake and the park has three art galleries (Casa de Vacas, Palacio de Cristal and Palacio de Velázquez. On weekends and holidays, it fills with madrileños (citizens of Madrid) and performers of all sorts, including mime artists and jugglers, painters, singers, puppet masters and fortune-tellers. It was built as a royal park in the 17th century, and until 1868 it was the exclusive reserve of the aristocracy.

Description:

This building was once the Buen Retiro Palace's ballroom. The palace no longer exists and the ballroom now belongs to the Museo del Prado (Prado Museum). It houses a collection of 19th-century paintings by artists such as Madrazo, Fortuny, Rosales, Picasso, and Sorolla. The attractive 18th-century dome was painted by Lucas Jordán.

Description:

You can visit this 16th-century church belonging to the convent with the the greatest art collection in Madrid to see work by Paolo de San Leocadi, Gaspar Becerro and Pompeo Leoni, including the latter's impressive marble funerary monument dedicated to the founder of the convent. The main altar is also well worth a look. It was carved in Rome, transported to Madrid and given added decorative touches by Bellver. The church was designed in classical style by architect Juan Bautista de Toledo with a stone and brick façade. Its interior has been restored several times over the centuries. You'll find the convent and church in the heart of the old town.

Description:

Palacio de Liria is an 18th-century palace of the Duchess of Alba, with the entrance leading to an informal woodland featuring shrubs and trees. The construction of the palace began in 1762, by the French architect Guilbert and completed in 1780 by Ventura Rodriguez. The palace was restored after the civil war of 1936 and the displays on the walls have a variety of artistic pieces of Flemish, Dutch, French, English, German and Italian influences. Art lovers will also find the portrait of the Duchess of Alba, painted in 1795, and a portrait of the Marquesa de Lazán among other art pieces including works of Ribera and Murillo. The palace is a beautiful monument by itself, famous in Spain and is open to public on appointment. Guided tours around the palace take place on most Fridays. Call ahead for schedules.

Description:

This park was the 18th-century home belonging to one of Madrid's aristocratic families. The main palace houses paintings by Goya and the other buildings worth looking at are the casino, the chapel and the "Old Woman's House". It's located on the east side of the city and features smartly kept groves of poplars and pretty walkways lined with hundred-year-old trees. No dogs allowed. Group admission can be arranged during weekdays in advance. Admission: free.

Description:

Once a mid-19th century meeting place for Madrid's high society, this beautiful palace is now a luxurious disco, open to the general public. There is a different special theme every night: Tuesday nights it is salsa, Wednesdays are for tango, and Thursday nights you can enjoy the International Fiesta. Manuel Gaviria, a prominent banker, hired an Italian architect to create the Renaissance-style palace in 1846. Sadly, the neon signs and tacky shops and bars on the busy street level detract more than a little from what must have been a magnificent external appearance.