At the start of the tour, explore the Tapestry Museum, located in the former rooms for infants.
The area consists of room after room of tapestries of such detailed work among which the ‘Los Honores’ stands out. The Flemish series created for the coronation of King Charles V is made up of nine allegorical panels: “Fortune”, “Prudence”, “Wisdom”, “Justice”, “Vice”, “Fame”, “Honor”, “Faith”, and “Nobility”. Also of great importance are the series “The Apocalypse”, “The Labors of Hercules”, and “The Fables of Ovid”.
The historical Royal Tapestry Collection dates back to the 16th century. Interestingly, these works of art are placed on slightly inclined walls and exposed to dim light for reservation reasons. The museum also houses stunning 17th-century glass paintings by Luca Giordano.
Next, visit The Royal Palace Museum, consisting of the Royal Bedrooms, Portrait Gallery, Room Of Mirrors, and vaulted halls decorated with exquisite ceiling frescoes.
King Philip V and Queen Isabela Farnesio stayed in the Royal Bedrooms in the 18th century. King Philip V, the first Bourbon king of Spain, decided to have his residence decorated in the style that reminded him of his childhood at the Versailles Palace of his grandfather, French King Louis XIV.
The museum also houses a portrait gallery where valuable paintings of Spanish monarchs are on display, which promises to reveal interesting stories about Spanish royals.
Of particular interest is the Room Of Mirrors. The large mirrors there, framed elaborately with gold in the Rococo style, are the first of these dimensions made in the famous Royal Glass Factory nearby. To add to its splendor, the ceiling fresco of the room beautifully depicts the mythological story of “The Rapture of Europe”.
Finally, discover the Baroque French Gardens – “little Versailles of Spain”, an ideal spot for leisurely strolls.
These gardens created by a group of famous French artists are the best example in Spain of a formal French-style garden, mainly inspired by that of the Versailles Palace.
The most significant feature of the gardens is the spectacular collection of 26 fountains that span the 360-acre estate, thanks to the abundance of water from the mountains. The jets of the “La Fama” fountain can even raise water above a height of 40 meters! The original hydraulic system is in a good state of preservation, so much so that synchronized water displays can be seen at times.
These wonderful fountains and an array of playful marble statues of mythological gods form the richest sculptural ensemble of their time, each of which seems to tell a unique story, offering to transport visitors to an enchanting faraway land.
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Elite
