Spain isn’t short on stunning wonders.
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From the Alhambra to the Roman Theatre of Mérida to Seville Cathedral, the list is long. In fact, Spain has its very own special designation for its most impactful spots: the 12 Treasures of Spain.
Aside from its 12 National Treasures, Spain’s Patrimonio Nacional usually oversees landmarks and regions that are important to the country’s national identity. The group just added a new site to the list of national landmarks: Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso.
In English, that’s roughly the Royal Palace of the Saint Ildefonso Homestead. (Granja is sometimes used for ‘farm’, but usually portends a more involved settlement that produces food, animal products, and other products. In this case, it’s a forested area in Segovia, Spain.)
Located around 50 miles north of Madrid in the town of Segovia, the palace has been a tourist destination for a few years. But, thanks to its recent nod from Spain’s Patrimonio Nacional, it is likely to become a hotspot. If you enjoyed visiting Versailles or even a German palace, then keep this massive, ornate, and art-filled palace on your radar.
Inside the Palacio Real de La Granja
King Philip V fell in love with the land in La Granja de San Ildefonso back in the early 1700s. King Philip V was Spain’s first Bourbon king, having been born and raised in France. His decision to create a palace in Spain after taking the throne was very much inspired by his time in France.
There, he’d grown up in the French court with his grandfather, King Louis XIV. That’s the Sun King himself, who transformed the Palace of Versailles into the epicenter of French royalty.
Over the next decade, King Philip V constructed the Palace Real. It includes grand halls, ornate and expansive gardens, libraries, fountains, galleries, and more in a distinct Spanish style. Later, both French and Italian motifs were added. His goal was to create a fit place for a king to retire.
Thanks to the new designation of Palacio Real de La Granja, you can explore the entire site at your own leisure. Best of all, you won’t have hordes of fellow visitors around you, as with the Palace of Versailles.
The Palace is available to the public for a small fee, around $10. It’s closed on Mondays and open for free on Wednesdays and Sundays from 3 pm-6 pm. Note that the Gardens are only open at certain times of day. Other holidays might have unique programming for visitors to enjoy.
