La Granja de San Ildefonso

The Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso (Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso) was built in the 18th-century by the Spanish king Philip V (Felipe V) as his summer residence in the small town of San Ildefonso, 80 km north of Madrid. The hills of San Ildefonso had been favorite hunting grounds for the Castilian kings for centuries and near the loggings existed a small shrine dedicated to San Ildefonso and a farm (granja) belonging to a religious order from Segovia.  

The site was purchased from the monks in 1718 by Philip V, after his summer palace nearby at Valsaín burned to a shell. At the beginning, the king was considering a modest place as a hunting residence, but afterwards, inspired by the gardens of Versailles, where he was raised by his grandfather Luis XIV of France, the project evolved to a baroque palace with impressive surrounding gardens. Like Versailles, La Granja began as a retreat from the court but became a center of royal government. Military barracks and courtier houses were built in the surroundings, as well as the famous Flemish Tapestry factory and La Granja Crystal Factory (glass of Venetian type), the last functioning even today.

Extending over 1500 acres, the surrounding park and gardens are one of the best, still existing and well preserved examples of the 18-th century European garden design. The natural slope of the mountains and the diversity of the landscape were used by its French designers Robert de Cotte and Rene Carlier to produce an impressive visual perspective. The 26 sculptural fountains, inspired by the Greek and Roman mythology are by themselves a special attraction for tourists. From May to October, several days a week, different groups of fountains are put in motion.

I was looking for a long time to have the chance to see all this marvel functioning..and below, you can enjoy (or not) the graphic result of my visit. I strongly recommend Madrid summer visitors to consider a short trip to La Granja; of course, after checking the opening dates and hours of the fountains at the web of Patrimonio Nacional (www.patrimonionacional.es). Hopefully nobody would repeat the famous Phillip V' phrase “It costs me three million and amused me three minutes…”

If not, you can always visit my blog to see my photos again and again…

The French Garden

Greek classics 

The "famous" Diana's  Baths...

...and another handsome Greek guy...

....and another Cupid..

Still view...

.....in motion

before...

...and after....

A lovely goddess..

...and her Mistress before..

and after...

...some more pics from this amazing experience..

...with the Neptune fountains in perspective...