It was built in the 18th century, by order of Philip V, on an old site of the old Alcázar, formerly Muslim castle. Nowadays it is used exclusively for receptions, ceremonies and official events since the kings of Spain reside in the Zarzuela Palace.
The emir Mohamed I built in Magerit (Arabic name of the city) a citadel to defend Toledo from the advance of the Christians. This building was occasionally used by the kings of Castile until it was transformed into a building in the 16th century. in what will be known like Old Alcázar. Charles V and his son Philip II converted the fortress into the permanent residence of the monarchs. But in the year 1734 a fire devastated the town. the building and its remains Felipe V ordered build the current palace.
Juan Bautista Sachetti carried out the final plans. Seventeen years passed from when the first stone was laid until the works commissioned by Philip V were completed. Charles III, the first monarch to live in the palace and who was in charge of completing the decoration. His successors, Charles IV and Ferdinand VII, added decorative objects to the set, such as clocks, furniture, chandeliers and candelabras.
The building is inspired by the sketches made by Bernini for the construction of the Louvre in Paris. It is organized around a square patio and has a gallery and a Plaza de Armas, where the main façade of the palace is located. Both the decoration of each room and its distribution have changed over the years, adapting to the needs of its royal tenants.
Among the most notable rooms of the palace are the Throne Room, the Main Staircase, the Hall of the Halberdiers, the Gasparini Room and the Royal Room. Kitchen, the most outstanding example, preserved to this day, of historical kitchens of European royal residences, both for its size, as well as for the conservation of the complex and for the interest and magnitude of the accessories. The Royal Palace hosts every Wednesday and Saturday (except July, August and September and those days when an official event is celebrated) the changing of the Royal Guard and the first Wednesday of each month the solemn relief.
From October to March: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 hrs - 18:00 hrs
Sundays: 10:00 hrs - 16:00 hrs
From April to September: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 hrs - 19:00 hrs
Sundays: 10:00 - 16:00 hrs
Royal Library, Apothecary and Armory.
The main staircase
Hall of Halberdiers
Column Hall
Gasparini's Chamber
The Hall of Mirrors
the Royal Chapel
The Crown Room...