The visit begins at Puerta del Sol with a guided tour that will take us to the Royal Palace of Madrid, crossing Calle Arenal, making a stop at Plaza de Isabel II, better known as Plaza de Opera. Finally we will arrive at the Royal Palace of Madrid.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain; However, the current kings do not live in it, but in the Zarzuela Palace, so it is used for state ceremonies and solemn acts. Now is when our visit really begins.
Although Juvarra’s original project was never carried out, the Royal Palace of Madrid can boast of being the largest inhabited palace in Europe. And we say inhabited because, although the Spanish Royal Family does not reside in it, it is still the place where they have their official residence. As we have commented previously, the building, whose works lasted until 1764 when Carlos III lived in it for the first time, is made up of 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms, also highlighting its 870 windows, 240 balconies or the 44 stairs it has. The comparisons are odious but, despite what many believe, the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, has 67,000 square meters, so that of Madrid surpasses it.
In the tourist visit, the almost 3,500 rooms are not covered, but some of the most outstanding rooms, around twenty, are. During the walk inside the Royal Palace, visitors take a true trip back in time, to the golden age of the Spanish Court in the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the most impressive moments is the encounter with the Throne Room, the true symbol of the power of the Crown. The two thrones defended by the golden lions, which were saved from the destruction of the Real Alcázar, the rich tapestries, curtains and carpets, the luxurious mirrors or the lamps.