The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-28
Royal Palace of Madrid Has
Been Prepared With the
Richest Treasures for Future
Home of the Royal Couple.
ONE OF LARGEST
PALACES OF EUROPE
Occupying Imposing Site Overlooking
the Manzanares Riyer-Furnlsh.
ings Are Elaborate.
A..oci.tes Press Cable to The Evening

4 p1lmS0s
Madrid, May 2s-The royal palace Of
Madrid is doubly interesting just now,
both as the place from which King
Alfonso goes to meet his bride and as
the future home of the royal couple.
The suite Of apartments designed for
the future queen have been most Law
ishly prepared NN.h the richest art
treasures from the galleries of Spain.
But aside from this, the palace, itself
is one of the largest and most sump-
-tuous of Europe. It is built on the
former site of the Alcazar of the an
cient kings, from plans by the Italian
artist Giovanni Bettirta Sacchetti. The
first stone was laid in 1898 and 26
years afterwards Charles I'LL took
possession of the edifice and began
the decoration of the interior. The
expenditure amounted to 100000 OOO
reales. Immense substructures give
the palace dominating position on
the Mauzanares river, and lend it the
appearance not only of palace but
of great citadel commanding the city.
1t covers an expanse of 22,50O square
metres; $50 feet on each side and $50
feet high. The massive structure IS
of granite throughout, except the
frames of the doors and windows,
which are of marble.
The entrance to the royal palace.
which is conceded to be one of the
most magnificent in the world, has
beenj further enriched for the present
occasion. 1t is gorgeously carpeted
and ornamented, illuminated day and
night by myriads of electric lights,
concealed within the rich gold cor
nices, with Halbadieres in their bril-
liant uniforms acting as guards. AZ
the first landing. serving as pillars
to the balustrade, there are two enor-
nous lions Of stone. the work of the
sculptors Castro and Michel. It 10
we'll known that Napoleon I. has a
jealous regard for these lions ON the
day that he admired the palace. re-
marking to his brother that they were
better housed than he himself in
Paris The high valued ceiling con-
tains notable paintings by the Napol-
tan artist Carado Giaquinto, heir of
the, great decorator Lucas Jordan.
The largest and most important
fresco which occupies the centre. is
an allegory Of the Triumph Of Re-
ligion, Assisted by SPAIN d
The sale des ambassadeurs, where
the imposing reception will take place
after the wedding, is one of the most
splendid apartments of the palace
with fittings of incalculable value. The
flooring is of different marbles which
form designs In the Italian style. The
walls are hung with crimson velvet
and gilt ornaments, the brightness of
which has been toned down by time.
The enormous mirrors which came
from the royal factory of LaGrange,
are surrounded by heavy gold frames
of the time of Charles w.. while in
tervening statutes of bronze and mar
BILE represent her0s. pagan gods and
allegorical figures. Some of the nota-
BILE apartments are "The Fawn" by
Praxiteles; Venus" and Mercury"
after the conception of Jean de
Bologna; Jupiter on the Eagle" and
at each side Of the throne statues of
Prudence and Justice. represented as
the counselors of kings.
The royal throne Is under a superb
red canopy, situated above the steps
richly carpeted in the same color. At
either side stand four gilt lions. rep
resented as controlling the world. The
ceiling forms q brilliant contrast. be-
ing clear and luminous. It was ex-
ecuted by the famous Venetian painter
Tiepolo and Is said to be one of the
most finished decorative works In the
world. The idea developed in this vast
composition lis "The Glory of the
Spanish Monarchy" represented by .
proud matrOn seated on q throne and
attended by allegorical deities. con-
templating a sky peOpled by numerous
figures, among them Mercury, the
symbol of material prosperity. In the
corners appear picturesque groups OF
types of the different Spanish regions.
and the products of the provinces ar
ranged in all allegorical ensemble. In
the angles there are sculptured medal
ions by Michel, representing the great
rivers Of Spain. The imagination of
some recent visitors to this gorgeous
apartment has led to the report that
: Princess Ena greatly resembles the
proud matr0n seated on a throne.
which forms the chief decoration rep.
resenting the glory of Spain.
Many of the salons are decorated
with rich embroidered cloths. and the
luxurious furniture and ceilings we're
painted by Mangs, Balyen, VelasQuex.
Vicente Lopez and Juan Rivera. This
furniture has been the slow growth
of the luxury -loving kings Of Spain.
and represent an incalculable OUTLAY.
Many of the salons are veritable
museums. Formerly 1t was not pos
sible to adequately admire the beau
Il ts 4. (CenflnueA en Pare 8.