The Royal Alcázar of Madrid (Spanish: Real Alcázar de Madrid) was a fortress located at the site of today's Royal Palace of Madrid, Madrid, Spain. The structure was originally built in the second half of the ninth century by the Muslims, then extended and enlarged over the centuries, particularly after 1560. It was at this time that the fortress was converted into a royal palace, and Madrid became the capital of the Spanish Empire. Despite being a palace, the great building kept its original Arabic title of Alcázar (English: "castle").
The first extension to the building was commissioned by King Charles I (Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor) and completed in 1537. Its exterior was constructed by the architect Juan Gómez de Mora in 1636 on a commission from King Philip IV.
As famous for its artistic treasures as it is for its unusual architecture, it was the residence of the Spanish royal family and home of the court, until its destruction by fire during the reign of King Philip V (the first Bourbon king), on Christmas Eve 1734. Many artistic treasures were lost, including over 500 paintings. Other works, such as the painting Las Meninas by Velázquez, were saved.
History
Origins
There is much documentation (numerous texts, engravings, plans, paintings and models) on the building layout and exterior between 1530 and 1734, when they were destroyed in a fire. However, images of the building's interior and references to its history are scarce.
The first drawing of the Alcázar was done by Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen in 1534, three decades before Madrid was named as the capital of Spain. The drawing shows a castle divided into two main parts, which may correspond, at least partially, to the structure of the Muslim fortress on which it was built.
This original fortress was erected by the Umayyad amir Muhammad I of Córdoba (852–886) between 860 and 880. The building was the central nucleus of the Islamic citadel of Mayrit, a walled district approximately 4 ha (9.9 acres) in size, incorporating not only the castle, but also a mosque and the home of the governor (or emir).
Its steep location near the Altos de Rebeque and overlooking the path of the River Manzanares below was of great strategic importance, being a key factor in the defence of Toledo from frequent Christian incursions into the lands of al-Andalus. This structure probably followed the progression of similar military constructions in the area—an observation point developed into a small fort—although there is currently a lack of evidence as the place was later quarried for building material by Christians.
After the conquest of Madrid in 1083 by Alfonso VI of León and Castile, the King needed a bigger fortress in order to accommodate his royal court. A new fortress was built to the north of the first walled enclosure — therefore, the Islamic fortress was never located under the royal palace.
Over the course of time, the old castle was extended, keeping the original structure within. This is evident from seventeenth century engravings and paintings, where medieval-styled semi-circular turrets can be seen on the western side by the Manzanares, in contrast to the architecture of the southern façade.
The House of Trastámara
The Trastámara dynasty turned the Alcázar into its temporary residence, and by the end of the fifteenth century it was one of the main fortresses in the Crown of Castile, as well as the seat of the royal court. In keeping with its new function, the castle incorporated the word royal into its name, indicating its exclusive use by the Castilian monarchy.
King Henry III of Castile instigated the construction of different towers which changed the look of the building, giving it a more palatial feel. His son, John II, built the Royal Chapel and added a new room, known as the Sala Rica (the Room of Riches) for its lavish decoration. These two new elements, alongside the eastern façade, are thought to have increased the surface area of the old castle by approximately 20 percent.
Henry IV of Castile was one of the kings who spent the most time at the Alcázar, with one of his daughters, Joanna la Beltraneja, being born there on 28 February 1462. In 1476, Juana la Beltraneja's followers were besieged in the Alcázar because of the War of the Castilian Succession with Queen Isabella I over the throne. The area suffered considerable damage during the siege.
Charles V
The Royal Alcázar of Madrid once again suffered serious damage during the Revolt of the Comuneros, which occurred from 1520 to 1522, under the reign of Charles I. Considering the state of the building, Charles I decided to extend it; this is considered to be the first important building work in the history of the Alcázar. The redesign was probably carried out alongside the Emperor's wish to establish the court in the city of Madrid, something which did not happen until the reign of Philip II. Luis Cabrera de Córdoba (16th century), mentioned Charles in the following document, "The Catholic King Philip II, considering the city of Toledo unsuitable, respected the wish of his father, the Emperor Charles V to have the Court in the city of Madrid, establishing in Madrid its royal seat and the government of its monarchy."
From this perspective, one can understand the efforts of Charles V to provide the city with a royal residence - the priority of a modern state - or at least, to what it was used to before his arrival in Castile. Instead of demolishing the uncomfortable and old-fashioned medieval castle (a decision thought to be too radical), the Emperor decided to use it as the basis for the construction of a palace. The new construction bore the name of the original fortress, the Royal Alcázar of Madrid, despite having lost its military function centuries earlier.
Construction started in 1537, under the direction of the architects Luis de Vega and Alonso de Covarrubias, who renovated the old buildings around the King's Courtyard (Patio del Rey) in the medieval castle. The most valuable contribution, however, was the construction of the newly designed Queen's rooms, spread around the Queen's Courtyard (Patio de la Reina). The so-called Tower of Charles V was built in one of the corners of the northern façades, which now overlooks the Sabatini Gardens. These new additions are believed to have doubled the original footprint of the building.
The project was dominated by unmistakable Renaissance features, visible in the main staircase and both the King's and Queen's Courtyards; adorned with archways and supported by columns, allowing light into the building. The extension by Charles V was the first important work carried out in the Alcázar, and was followed by numerous refurbishments and redesigns which were carried out almost continuously until the building's destruction in the 18th century.
Philip II
Philip II, as prince of Asturias, had shown great interest in the works brought about by his father, the Emperor Charles V, and as king, continued them. He accomplished the transformation of the building into a palace, especially from 1561, when he decided to establish the court permanently in Madrid.
The monarch ordered the refurbishment of his chambers as well as other rooms, and put special effort into their decoration, using tailors, glaziers, carpenters, painters, sculptors and other artisans and artists. Many of these tradesmen came from the Netherlands, Italy and France. The works, which lasted from 1561 until 1598, were initially managed by Gaspar de la Vega.
The Golden Tower (la Torre Dorada), whose construction was the most important in this time, was supervised by the architect Juan Bautista de Toledo. This vast tower dominated the south-western edge of the Alcázar and was crowned with a slate spire. The tower's design was reminiscent of the corner towers of the monastery of El Escorial, which was also under construction at the same time.
Philip II oversaw the Royal Alcázar of Madrid's complete conversion to a royal palace. The interior section between the two original towers of the southern façade took on a ceremonial function, while the northern wing was used as the service area. The western area was reserved for the King's chambers, with the Queen's chambers to the east. The areas were separated by two large courtyards, in keeping with the structure designed by de Covarrubias. This layout of the areas for different uses was maintained until the fire of 1734.
The construction of the Royal Armoury was also the work of Philip II. Demolished in 1894, in its location is now the crypt of Almudena Cathedral.
Philip III, Philip IV and Charles II
By the end of Philip II's reign, and despite many improvements, the Royal Alcázar still had an incongruous appearance. Its main façade, on the south, retained medieval elements which did not match the alterations made by the monarch. The clash of styles was very noticeable with respect to the Golden Tower (incorporated by the King) and the two other medieval cuboid towers that took away light from the development.
Upon taking the throne, Philip III, son of Philip II, set about making the southern façade his main project. The work, entrusted to the architect Francisco de Mora, involved blending the southern façade with the architectural characteristics of the Golden Tower, as well as redesigning the Queen's rooms.
However, the work to the façade was eventually completed by Juan Gómez de Mora, the preceding architect's nephew, who introduced important innovations to his uncle's design, following the usual Baroque style of the time. The new design, started in 1610 and finished in 1636 during the reign of Philip IV, would survive until the fire of 1734. The enclosure of the exterior plaza was also completed under de Mora.
The development gained brightness and balance, thanks to a series of windows and columns from the two symmetrical towers (as illustrated below). The other façades were also remodelled, with the exception of the western side that retained the look of the old medieval castle.
Philip IV gave the building a more harmonious appearance, despite his indifference towards it. The monarch refused to live in the Alcázar and ordered the construction of a second palace, the Buen Retiro Palace, which today also no longer exists. Walls were erected, to the east of the city, on the grounds which are now home to the Retiro Park.
The project, started by Philip III and finished by Philip IV continued throughout the reign of Charles II, in the form of minor alterations and renovations. The Queen's Tower, located on the south-eastern side, was finished with a slate spire in keeping with the design of the Golden Tower on the other side, built during the reign of Philip II. The plaza built at the foot of the southern façade also incorporated different rooms and galleries.
Philip V
Philip V was proclaimed king of Spain on 24 November 1700, in a ceremony performed in the southern plaza of the palace – the plaza is now the site of the Armoury Plaza.
The austere Royal Alcázar was in complete opposition with the French taste he was more familiar with in Versailles, hence his refurbishments' focus on the interior of the palace.
The main rooms were redecorated in the style of French palaces. Queen Maria Luisa of Savoy was in charge of the work, assisted by her lady in waiting, Marie Anne de La Trémoille, princess of Ursins.
The redesign of the Alcázar's interior was initially the responsibility of the architect Teodoro Ardemans, who was later replaced by René Carlier.
The fire of 1734
On 24 December 1734, with the Court having moved to the El Pardo Palace, a fire broke out at the Royal Alcázar of Madrid. Thought to have started in a room of the court artist Jean Ranc, the fire spread quickly and uncontrollably. It raged for four days and was so intense that some silver objects were melted by the heat and other metal objects, along with precious stones, had to be discarded.
According to Félix de Salabert, Marquis of Torrecillas, the first alarm was raised at approximately 15 minutes past midnight by one of the guards on duty. The festive nature of the day meant that the warning was ignored at first, since people were on their way to matins (night prayer service). The first to attempt help (as much in extinguishing the fire as in trying to rescue people and valuables) were the monks from the monastery of San Gil.
Initially, the doors of the Alcázar were kept closed for fear of looting. This meant that occupants had little time to evacuate. It was an enormous effort to salvage the religious objects kept in the Royal Chapel, as well as cash and jewels belonging to the royal family (a chest full of coins was thrown from a window). The collection of jewels included the Pilgrim Pearl and the El Estanque diamond.