Archive for 'Castles & Palaces in Spain'

When one thinks of the fairytale castles that inspired the illustrations that we all grew up with in storybooks and cartoons and in Disneyland, the buildings romantically perched over lush valleys of Germany and the ornate chateaux of France are probably what springs to mind. No doubt, if you are interested in bringing a little bit of magic into your life and seeking out such incredible architectural gems IRL, these are two excellent destinations in which to do so. However, did you know that one of the most influential castles to inspire the likes of Disney is actually in Spain?

Located in the town of Segovia, northwest of Madrid and an excellent day trip destination for those who find a holiday rental in Madrid, the Alcázar de Segovia is quite the sight to behold. A massive cream castle punctuated by little arched windows, a castellated tower, and several charming pointed turrets, it is the quintessential sort of fairytale, picture-perfect palace that many might imagine when conjuring such things. It is no wonder, then, that it was used as a model for the design of the queen's castle in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and for Cinderella's castle as imagined in Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland.     Read More

Casa Castellarnau de Tarragona is one of the few noble homes in the city of Tarragona that has been fully preserved to this day. It is a grand Catalan stately home that dates back to the early 15th century and is a fascinating beauty, filled with incredible antique furniture, objects, and works of art. Once the home of the powerful Castellarnau family, it is now the Museu d'Història de Tarragona, or History Museum of Tarragona. Showcasing 1700s and 1800s furniture & decorative objects in the setting of a stunning restored aristocratic residence, this inexpensive museum is a great place to go and step back through time for an afternoon while exploring the city.

Carrer Cavallers was the street on which all of the city’s noble families lived during the Middle Ages and this home, number 14, was built in the 15th century for one of these families. It has, however, undergone many different periods of restoration and refurbishment throughout the centuries, largely reflecting 18th and 19th century alterations today. In the 18th century the building was purchased by Carles de Castellarnau and under his direction there were significant changes made to both the façade and to the interior and layout of the building.     Read More

If you have found a vacation rental in Madrid, then a visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid is really an absolute must. The palace is one of the city's most famous, important and extraordinary landmarks and attractions and is an exquisite gem that really needs to be seen with one's own eyes. Still the official residence of the Spanish royal family, though not actually their home, it housed the Kings of Spain from Charles III to Alfonso XIII and was an important site for a large chunk of Spanish history. In addition, it is quite the looker and, all in all, shouldn't be missed if it is your first time in the city!

The site can be traced back to when the islamic ruler Emir Mohamed I chose it as the place to build a fortress to protect Toledo from the advancing Christians. Then this fortress was used by the Kings of Castille and eventually became the Antiguo Alcázar (Old Fortress) in the 14th century. Under Charles I and his son Philip II it was made a permanent residence for the Spanish royal family. In 1734, the Palace of Los Austrias was burned to the ground and a new palace was commissioned under Philip V according to designs by Filippo Juvara. When Juvara suddenly passed away, his pupil Juan Bautista Sachetti took over the project. Charles III was the first Spanish king to occupy the new building and the decorative details and schemes from frescoes to clocks to chandeliers to chairs were added by subsequent kings to create the magnificent building that exists today.     Read More

The Generalife of Granada is a palace and series of large gardens that was built in the 13th century during the reign of Muhammad III (1302–1309) and remodelled and added to several times over the centuries. Positioned on the slopes of the Hill of the Sun, or Cerro del Sol, the whole estate offers amazing panoramic views over the city below. It was the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers of the Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus but is thought to have originally been an architect's house that later passed to the royal family and remodelled accordingly. One of the translations of the name is actually “garden of the architect”, though there are multiple interpretations and theories.     Read More