The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family in Madrid, Spain’s capital.
Although it remains the monarchy’s official residence, the palace is used mainly for state ceremonies, diplomatic receptions, and formal events. Spain’s king and queen generally live at the smaller Zarzuela Palace, on the outskirts of Madrid, which is why the Royal Palace is not usually their everyday home.
The building stands on the site of Madrid’s former Alcázar, a fortress and royal residence with origins reaching back to a ninth-century Muslim-era stronghold. The Alcázar burned on Christmas Eve in 1734, during the reign of Philip V. Construction of the present palace began in 1735, and the building was completed in the eighteenth century in a grand Baroque and Classical style.
With 3,418 rooms, it is among Europe’s largest royal palaces. Visitors can see the Throne Room, royal apartments, ceremonial halls, and the Royal Armoury. The capital is sometimes confused with Barcelona or Seville, but Madrid is the seat of Spain’s national monarchy and government.