Palacio Real, Sabatini Gardens
The grand Palacio Real (The Royal Palace) is a former royal residence, with more than 2,800 rooms. King Felipe V commissioned Italian architect Sabatini to design the palace, and construction took place between 1738-1770. Today the palace houses an impressive array of paintings by Velázquez, Caravaggio, and Goya, as well as collections of sculpture, furniture, tapestries, glassware, gold and silverware, medals, porcelain, and musical instruments. The beautiful Sabatini Gardens within the Palace boast a pool, statues, fountains, and beautiful bushes and trees aligned in geometric shapes. Today, the Palace is used mostly for state occasions.

Fun Facts

• The site of the Palace dates back to a tenth century fortress called Mayrit.


• The Palace burnt down on December 24, 1734, and was rebuilt completely out of stone and brick vaulting to avoid any future fires.

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Palacio Real