If you're visiting Madrid, Spain and you would like to view classical architecture in all it's splendor, then you need to visit Palacio Real. Palacio Real, or the Royal Palace is world renowned for its statues and gardens among other things. The palace, which was built in 25 years, was utilized by an extensive list of Spanish rulers until 1931, and at one time it was the core of sovereignty for an empire in the eighteenth century that governed half of the then-known world.
The palace is so elaborate that you would not be able view its entirety in one just day, though less than ten percent of the palace is available to the public. In its splendor, the palace is made up of nearly 3,000 rooms with 240 balconies and over forty staircases, and one can behold its grand furniture, extravagant decorations, and grandiose ornaments all throughout.
You'll see the Throne Room, from which the plans and strategies of what was once the world's greatest superpower were formulated, and the Royal Armory, which displays a number of weapons and armor, along with a range of medieval torture implements used in the Spanish Inquisition.
In the palace you will also experience the Royal Pharmacy, where you will learn more about past medical customs; The Royal Library, where numerous first editions of critical Spanish literature are retained; and an impressive banquet hall, where many of the most legendary European rulers have feasted.
Outside of Palacio Real, you can walk through the Royal Gardens (which are the most famous in Madrid), enjoy the sight of the Manzanares River, and watch the changing of the guards.
To see all the sights and take in all the history of Palacio Real, a two-hour guided tour is the way to go. The tours are fairly inexpensive at around $30 dollars person. You would be wise to make a reservation to take the tour since tickets sell out fast, especially during the summer season. You cannot take pictures at the Palacio Real, but you can buy postcards and books at the end of the tour as souvenirs.
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