Ahh here is the crème de la crème of my dear Madrid, I will update this older post to bring you to something often overlook by visitors, of what I call off the beaten path even if they are in a very popular spot! This is all part of the Prado museum of Spain and the world! Let me tell you a bit of history on the Salon de Reinos of Madrid !!
The Hall of Realms or Salon de Reinos or Grande is a museum in the heart of Madrid. The building is the main body of the Buen Retiro palace built between 1630 and 1635, and houses the royal collections of paintings now preserved in the Prado Museum. The salon owes its name to the shields of the 24 kingdoms that are painted and represent the territories under the control of the Spanish monarchy in the time of Felipe IV . Today, the building is also known as the Army Museum, which was housed there until it was moved to the Alcázar of Toledo. With theCasón del Buen Retiro,(see post) the Hall of Realms is the only remaining architectural vestige of the old palace.
Initially it was designed as a royal entertainment venue, but when it was decided to transform the Buen Retiro into a real palace it was added a ceremonial function, as for the Throne Room. The Salon never gave up its festive function, it is used for shows and evenings, exploiting its circular balcony which allowed to observe the celebrations from above. As the throne room it was to impress the ambassadors and distinguished members of the European foreign courts who are welcomed at the palace.
The Hall of Realms and the Feasts, were the only rooms that resisted the intense bombing and attacks by the French during the Napoleonic invasion, between 1808 and 1814. The appearance of the building was profoundly modified by the transformations of the 20C once the Spanish War of Independence ended. For a long time, the building houses the Army Museum. At the beginning of the 21C it was moved this museum to the Alcázar of Toledo, and made the Hall of Realms or Salon de Reinos of the Prado Museum dependent, like the Casón del Buen Retiro. The option finally chosen was to used it with its annexes for the temporary exhibitions.
The Prado museum on the Salon de Reinos :https://www.museodelprado.es/en/museum/hall-of-realms
The Madrid tourist office on the Salon de Reinos : https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/salon-de-reinos-del-palacio-del-buen-retiro
There you go folks, two wonderful buildings you should seek out when in Madrid and time away from the main Prado museum , if possible! This is wonderful Madrid a lot more than tapas and cañas I said! Hope you enjoy the post on the off the beaten path wonder of the Salon de Reinos of Madrid !!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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