Palacio del Pardo (A beautiful Spanish multi-functional facility)

Today I went on a field trip to the Palacio del Pardo.  And I am going to tell you guys all about it!  The Palacio del Pardo is a quick bus ride away from the university (I could use my Abono--Madrid city transportation pass) and it is quite the multifunctional palace.  Currently, it serves as a museum (which is what we saw), residence for foreign diplomats and heads of state, and a location for foreign and national receptions.  In the past the Palacio del Pardo was the King’s residence when he was hunting in the mountains, and, as I learned in my history  of Madrid class, the Pardo was where the king stayed/lived before Madrid was the established capitol of Spain. Also, the rich hunting here is one of the reasons why Madrid became the capitol.  

In much more controversial (but cooler) time, the Palacio del Pardo was home to General Francisco Franco during his dictorial reign.  COOL!

View from the main gate

This was an “obligoatory” (but not really) field trip for my class on European politics in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  It has had relation to my History of Madrid class, because in that class we learned about the origin of the Pardo and who constructed it and why it was important in the creation of Madrid.  It is a beautiful palace, but they all are, with even better gardens.  

The rooms in the older part were mostly decorated with tapestries on the walls, and we saw sala after sala (sala is like a salon), all pretty useless, with gold framed tapestries and paintings on the wall.  Some had tables, some had chairs, some had tables and chairs, all had clocks, and each had a different kind of theme; there was one that was Flemmish themed, because Carlos V who built the original palace (I think) had filial connections with Flemmish royalty.  One was hunting themed, with all of the animals hunted in the region, one was Madrid city-life themed (Madrid city-life dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries...)  Apparently el Pardo, the neighborhood we were in, is known for its hunting restuarants, where you can try deer, rabbit, and other assortments of meats from animals hunted in the mountains here.  I kind of want to go back one night and try the “comida de caza” (hunting food).  

Another room, which was really cool, had a painted ceiling of all the famous Spaniards, there was a side with the king and some royalty, another with the Spanish explorers, like Hernan de Cortes and others. And another side with famous architects, like the guy who designed El Escorial (don't remember his name), and famous artists, like Velazquez, and famous writers, like Lope de Vega.  It was my favorite ceiling for sure.  

We couldn't take pictures inside...so I'll insert random snapshots from outside here

We also saw the room where Alfonso XII, a famous Spanish king who was known as Alfonso el Sabio (the knowledgable) died.  His wife later converted the room with his bed into a chapel, which I think is where Franco also prayed…who knew that guy was religious!  There were also pictures around of famous royals and diplomats who have stayed at the palace, but most of those are kept in the modern parts where those people actually stay.

The coolest part though was when we got to see Franco’s quarters.  All of Franco’s rooms have remained unchanged since his death.  We got to see his office, with the original decoration and desk, his dining room, a display of all of his uniforms and metals (He was a really really really small guy), with door’s leading to his daughter’s room, and even his bathroom! I took an illegal picture of the bathroom.  Highlight of my day.

Franco's bathroom: Where he did 'official' business 

We then proceeded to the garden, which was really pretty.  People apparently go there on the weekends to picnic and hang out, and it seems like a great spot.   I wouldn’t mind spending a nice family afternoon in Franco’s old backyard…

And that concluded the visit to the Palacio del Pardo

Until next time.   

I managed to set off the security alarm.  Took off my jacket, and set it off again. I was about to start taking off my belt and/or pants, when the guy said it was shoes, so after swinging my foot through and confirming that it was my shoes, I got to go through. Oh Spanish security.