I again, found older pictures not yet in my blog and they should , me think, This one was on one of my family trip to Spain where we took a detour to see the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso !! Let me tell you a bit more about it with the new pictures,and hope you enjoy the post as I
On our way back from Segovia we came up the mountain of Navacerrada to see La Granja de San Ildefonso and its palace. I never came here while living in Madrid ,(see posts) even if heard all about for it yeeears, and coming down to Madrid several times a year. Been with the family and already at Segovia (see posts), I said ,this is the closest I will ever be so let’s give a visit. It is about 11 km from Segovia and 80 km from Madrid.
The brief story goes that Felipe grandson of king Louis XIV of France born at Versailles, baptised at Notre Dame Church of Versailles and move over as bourbon king of Spain under Felipe V. Current king of Spain Felipe VI is a descendant. Of course, been born at the Palace of Versailles and coming over, the need to try to recreate the splendor of the old place was imminent. So he decided to ordered built the palace in the forest around the village of San Ildenfonso. This he succeeded in a smaller scale but just as beautiful.
The garden are the best part of it and are surrounded by several fountains with the best looking one the one call Fuente de Neptuno or Neptune fountain. The gardens have more than 12,000 trees in-line, 70,000 trees in total , and 30 km of lawn with 26 fountains. It has a total area of 146 hectares and a high wall of 6 km around the encercle garden. The highest point is at the Ultimo Pino at 1325 meters high and the lowest point is at the Puerta del Vivero.
There you see the Caballerizas Reales or Royal stables. What will attract your attention the most about this building are the paintings on the façade and the large plaster coat of arms with its two lions., Also, the Cuartel de Guardias de Corps or guard barracks Very similar to the previous building, it changes the shield for a balcony. This building suffered a period of abandonment during which it lost part of its original decorations in the last century until it was transformed into a conference center.
The town of La Granja de San Idelfonso tourist Royal sites on the Royal Palace:https://www.turismorealsitiodesanildefonso.com/punto-de-interes/palacio-real-de-la-granja-de-san-ildefonso/
The Madrid tourist office on La Granja de San Ildefonso: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/granja-san-ildefonso
The National Heritage of Spain on La Granja de San Ildefonso: https://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/visita/royal-palace-la-granja-de-san-ildefonso
There you go folks, a wonderful side tour that many missed but its a must me think, A wonderful property full of architecture and history which we enjoyed plenty, This is the magical Royal Palace of La Granja de San Idelfonso, yours to see, Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 