Madrid is the European capital containing the Royal Palace of Madrid, often described as Europe’s largest royal palace by floor area.
The present palace occupies the site of the medieval Alcázar of Madrid, which burned in 1734. King Philip V ordered a new palace, and construction began in 1738. The building was designed in the grand Baroque and Neoclassical traditions and was completed during the reign of Ferdinand VI.
The palace contains thousands of rooms, including the Throne Room, the Royal Armoury, and the Royal Pharmacy. Spain’s royal family does not normally live there; the palace is primarily used for state ceremonies and official events.
Madrid became Spain’s permanent capital in 1561 under Philip II, replacing Valladolid. The city sits near the geographical centre of the Iberian Peninsula and is one of Europe’s highest national capitals by elevation.