Palace of Zarzuela

The Palace of Zarzuela (Spanish: Palacio de la Zarzuela, [paˈlaθjo ðe la θaɾˈθwela]) is the residence of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia and their family. The palace is on the outskirts of Madrid, near the Royal Palace of El Pardo. The complex also houses the official residence of the current King and his family in a nearby mansion.[1] The palace is owned by the Spanish State and administered by a state agency named the Patrimonio Nacional (National Estate).

History

During the 17th century, King Philip IV ordered a country palace or hunting lodge to be built at La Zarzuela near Madrid.[1] The name "Zarzuela" is thought to be derived from the word "zarzas" meaning brambles, due to its function as a hunting lodge meaning that it is situated amongst the brambles of the King's Hunting Grounds.[2] It was a rectangular, slate-roofed building with two lateral arcades. Carlos IV had the building altered[1] to adapt it to 18th century fashion, and adorned it with tapestries and porcelain, as well as furniture and his much-loved clocks.

Royal residence

Juan Carlos and his wife have lived in the palace since their marriage during 1962. After the death of Francisco Franco during 1975, the King decided not to occupy his Palace of El Pardo, leaving it for foreign state guests, designating the Palacio de la Moncloa as the residence of the President of the Spanish Government, while they remained at the Zarzuela. The Royal Palace in the centre of Madrid, the former principal residence of the Spanish kings, is the official residence of the King, although it is used only for state occasions.[1]

During summer 2002, Felipe VI, then Prince of Asturias, relocated into a new residence, a 3,150 square metres (33,900 sq ft) palace built within the Palace of La Zarzuela's grounds.[3]

Opera

The palace theatre was the place of origin of the Spanish operetta style, zarzuela.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Zarzuela Palace". Hello magazine. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  2. ↑ "Zarzuela a brief history". Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  3. ↑ "Boda Real - Su casa (in Spanish)". elmundo.es. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
  4. ↑ "Zarzuela a brief history". Retrieved 15 January 2009.

Coordinates: 40°28′59″N 3°48′07″W / 40.48306°N 3.80194°W / 40.48306; -3.80194

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