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Palacio de la Zarzuela
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Palacio de la Zarzuela is the residence of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sophia as well as the Crown Prince Felipe de Borbon and his family. The palace is situated inside Monte del Pardo, in the outskirts of Madrid, northwest of the center. The palace is owned by the Spanish state and administered by the Patrimonio Nacional agency.
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During the 17th century, King Felipe IV ordered a small country palace or hunting lodge to be built in a place called La Zarzuela, close to Madrid. It comprised a rectangular, slate-roofed building with two lateral arcades. Carlos IV carried out alterations to the building to adapt it to 18th century taste, and adorned it with tapestries and porcelain, as well as furniture and his much-loved clocks, of which he created a magnificent collection.
The King and Queen of Spain have lived in the palace since their marriage in 1962. After the death of Francisco Franco in 1975, the King and Queen refused to occupy his El Pardo Palace, leaving it for foreign state guests, designating the Moncloa Palace as residence of the President of the Spanish Government, while they remained at Zarzuela. The Royal Palace, the former residence of the Spanish Kings, is now only used for state occasions.
The atmosphere is one of simplicity, comfort and family life.
In summer 2002, Crown Prince Felipe moved into a new residence, a 3.150 m² palace built within the La Zarzuela Palace grounds.[1]
"Zarzuela" is thought to be derived from "zarzas" meaning brambles, due to its function as a hunting lodge meaning that it is situated amongst the brambles of the King's Hunting Grounds. The palace theater was the birthplace of the Spanish operetta style, zarzuela.
| Spanish royal sites |  |
| Palaces: Palacio Real de Madrid | Zarzuela | El Escorial | El Pardo | Aranjuez | La Granja | Riofrío | Alcázares de Sevilla | La Almudena |
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| Royal monasteries: Descalzas Reales | La Encarnación | Sta. Clara de Tordesillas | Las Huelgas | Valle de los Caídos |
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| Sanctuaries under royal patronage: Panteón de Hombres Ilustres | San Pascual | Sta. Isabel | Colegio de Doncellas Nobles |
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