Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso

About

Starting as Henry IV’s humble hunting pavilion in 1450, the property was donated to Hieronymite monks, who added an almshouse and farm to the lodge and shrine. In the 18th century, King Philip V, purchased the area back from the monks. Born in Versailles, Philip brought the French aesthete with him, and ordered the construction of this baroque palace in the style of his ancestral home. Its gardens are one of the best examples of the Jardin à la française style in the country, filled with fountains representing themes from Greek mythology. The fountains utilize only gravity for their spray with the largest reaching an incredible 40 metres. While they’re mostly inactive these days, they do make for a pleasant surprise if they are on. Inside the palace, the opulent baroque rooms are decorated with marble, Japanese lacquer, and crystal chandeliers, all topped off by a tantalizing tapestry collection.