Will you soon be traveling to or vacationing in Madrid, the Spanish capital and one of the most beautiful cities in the world? Have you decided which sites and attractions you’d like to visit and explore during your stay? Madrid, Spain is a holiday traveler’s dream, with something to do and see for the entire family. In fact, with so many interesting and enjoyable places to visit, it can often be difficult to narrow down your itinerary. However, if you are a fan of the Spanish monarchy, history and architecture, particularly of buildings designed and constructed during the 1600s and 1700s, you should seriously consider paying a visit to the Palacio de la Zarzuela. In the following article, we will briefly profile the Palacio de la Zarzuela, and describe its significance in terms of its history, features and the many purposes it has served over the centuries.
Palacio de la Zarzuela: A Must-See When Visiting Madrid
The Palacio de la Zarzuela, or in English, the Zarzuela Palace, is the primary residence of King Juan Carlos of Spain, Queen Sofia and their family. Unlike royal residences in other major world capitals, most of which are located in the heart of their respective capital cities, the Palacio de la Zarzuela is situated on the outskirts of Madrid, very near the Royal Palace of El Pardo. In addition to housing the royal family, the overall complex also includes a nearby mansion, which is home to the Prince and Princess of Asturias. The palace officially belongs to the Spanish State and is administered by the Patrimonio Nacional agency.
The history of the Palacio de la Zarzuela dates back to the 17th century, specifically to the year 1627 when then King Philip IV ordered the construction of a hunting lodge in a place known as La Zarzuela near Madrid. Construction of the building was based on the neoclassical designs of architect Juan Gomez de Mora. When completed several years later, the building was in a rectangular shape—a slate-roofed building with two lateral arcades—and gardens were added by the designer Gaspar Bandal. Many years later, under the reign of Carlos IV, the palace underwent renovations to adapt it to 18th century tastes, and the structure was adorned with porcelain, tapestries, period furniture and the much-loved clocks of the new King.
The Palacio de la Zarzuela was badly damaged during the Spanish Civil War, and in 1958, architect Diego Mendez rebuilt the structure, retaining the design of the first two architects and recreating the gardens in their 17th century style.
Although the official residence of the King and Royal family is the Royal Palace or Palacio de Oriente in the center of Madrid, it is not uncommon in Spain to divide the official acts of the monarchs between two or more residences. Most official ceremonies or Royal visits are still carried out at the Royal Palace, but since the seventeenth century most of the country’s monarchs have preferred to stay at this slightly out-of-the-way locale. Both of these palaces, as well as the Palace of El Pardo, are available for tours by visitors.
The name of the Palacio de la Zarzuela probably stems from the abundance of brambles in the area, which made the locale a popular hunting spot, but some suggest it takes its names from the first concerts held there, featuring a type of operetta style music that came to be known as zarzuela. In fact, the Zarzuela Hippodrome, built in the 20th century, owes its name to its proximity to the palace. Regardless of how the structure got its name, though, the Palacio de la Zarzuela is a wonderful place to visit and a significant part of the lives and history of the Spanish monarchy.
