Europe - Spain - Madrid - Life is Short and the World is Wide - 2018

Madrid, Spain

It's Saturday, September 22, 2108, today we are visiting the Royal Palace, Europes' second-largest, The Prado Museum, and El Escorial, the burial place of the Kings and Queen's of Spain.

 

The Royal Palace of Madrid (Spanish : Palacio Real de Madrid) is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family at the city of Madrid, but it is only used for state ceremonies.

The current palace was built on the location of an old Moorish fortress from the 9th century. The Moorish were the Arab people who occupied Spain during the Middle Ages.

Enjoying the gardens and the fountains in front of the Royal Palace- many of the streets are blocked off today; Madrid is preparing for a marathon foot race tomorrow. We could not get much closer to the Royal Palace than the gardens.

Monument to Philip IV of Spain in front of the Royal Palace

The Museo Nacional Del Prado

The Prado Museum Lobby

Current Collections - No photos are allowed to be taken inside the Museum. I've chosen a few of the most famous pieces of artwork we saw today. 

Francisco de Goya - The Family of Charles IV c.1800

Photo provided by Museo del Prado Museum

El Greco - The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest - c-1580

Photo provided by Museo del Prado Museum

Francisco de Goya - May 2, 1808, in Madrid, or "The Fight against the Mamelukes

Photo provided by Museo del Prado Museum

Francis De Goya - May 3, 1808, in Madrid or "The Executions' on the afternoon of May 2, 1808, and on the night of following the previous picture, the French army shot many of the rebels in various places in Madrid. Photo provided by Museo del Prado Museum

Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor) is Velázquez's most famous painting. Painted at the end of the artist's career, Las Meninas depicts the infant Margarita, daughter of King Philip IV and heir to the Spanish throne, surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting. Las Meninas represents a more intimate moment in the life of the Spanish royal family as the painting gives the viewer a glimpse into Velázquez's artistic process. Photo provided by Museo del Prado Museum

Francisco De Goya (1746-1828)

Statue outside the Museo Nacional Del Prado

El Escorial Courtyard

About an hour's drive from Madrid is a massive complex; the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial sits on the edge of the small village of El Escorial, Spain. The building is both a monastery and a royal palace, and it dates back to 1563. 

The Courtyard of the Kings

The Royal, The site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, is a historical residence of the King of Spain.

The El Escorial functions as a monastery, basilica, royal palace, library, Museum, and hospital

Royal Basilica Interior

A host of renowned names, including El Greco, Tintoretto, Titian, and Velasquez, painted their masterpieces on the walls and ceilings.

Royal Family Tombs

El Escorial is also known as the Crypt of Kings.

Tombs of Carlos and Felipe in the Pantheon

A portion of the formal gardens (Gardens of Friars)

Adjacent to the north façade of the monastery

We had a wonderful day in Madrid, and a half-day in El Escorial, the architectural Museum, art gallery, library, and crypts were terrific.