A little Versailles near Madrid
La Granja
Just one hour from Madrid is Real Sitio de la Granja de San Ildefonso or La Granja, for short, a “Royal Site” where the former Spanish monarchs spent long stays.
This town, La Granja (literally means the farm) appeared on the map due to King Philip V as the first Bourbon monarch, who bought the farming land belonging to the Hieronymite monks called Order of Saint Jerome. It was supposed to be the king’s modest place of retirement, after his abdication of the throne. However, in 1724, the same year as the king abdicated the throne, he’s son King Louis I died, and Philip had to return to the throne, thus enlarged the palace to house the entire court.
Highlights of “La Granja”:
- The Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, with great Versailles influence, as well as the impressive 146 hectares of forest and landscape gardens. Within the gardens, the 26 monumental fountains stand out, in operation from April to mid-October.
- Apart from magnificent palace and gardens, the farm also houses the Royal Factory of Crystals, being the main supplier of lamps, crockery, and other glass objects not only for the Spanish Royal Family but also for many other monarchs. Currently the factory can be visited by groups, where they can discover how the technique of blowing is still used to mold red-hot glass.
- During the summer nights, La Granja de San Ildefonso hosts the Magical Nights at La Granja festival from 15th of June until 15th of August 2022. It includes classical music, pop-rock, jazz, flamenco, magic and circus performances, along with a great deal of humour.
For those wanting to stay in this astonishing town, there’s the Parador Nacional de La Granja, which is made up of two large buildings: the Casa de los Infantes, built in the 18th century by King Charles III with 127 rooms, and the Corps Guard Headquarters, which houses a modern Congress and Convention Center with 16 meeting rooms hosting more than 600 people.