Royal Palace of Madrid

The site of the Royal Palace of Madrid has a history dating back to the 9th century when the Muslim Kingdom of Toledo built a defensive fortress, or Alcázar, on this strategic bluff overlooking the Manzanares River. After Madrid was captured by Alfonso VI of Castile, the fortress was used by Spanish royalty for centuries. However, on Christmas Eve in 1734, a devastating fire destroyed the original medieval structure, providing King Philip V with the opportunity to build a grand new palace that would reflect the power and prestige of the Bourbon dynasty. Construction of the current palace began in 1738 and took 17 years to complete. Italian architects Filippo Juvarra and Giambattista Sacchetti designed the massive structure in a late Baroque and Neoclassical style, utilizing stone and brick rather than wood to ensure it would never burn down again. King Charles III was the first monarch to take up residence in the building in 1764, overseeing the final interior decorations which included works by masters like Tiepolo and Mengs. Today, while it remains the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, it is used primarily for state ceremonies and official banquets. The Royal Family actually resides in the more modest Palace of Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid. The palace stands as a monument to Spanish history, housing an incredible collection of tapestries, the Royal Armoury, and the world's only complete Stradivarius string quintet, making it one of the most significant cultural landmarks in Europe.