Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-06-02
PALACE AT Madrid
MANSION WHERE KING ALfOkZO
and BRIDE WILL RESIDE.
LavishIy Prepared With Richest Art
Treasures-The Palace Is One Of the
Largest In Europe-Royal Throne
Superb Affair - Queens Wedding
Gown a Rich Piece of Finery.

now, both as the place from which
Alfonso went 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 with richest art treas
ures. But aside from this the palace
itsef is one of the largest ard most
sumptuous of Europe. 1t is built on
the former site of Alcazar, home Of
the ancient kings, from plans by the
Italian artist, Giovanni Bettirta Sac
chetti. The first stone was laid in
1888, and 20 years afterward Charles
Ill. took possession OF the edifice and
began the decoration of the interior.
Inc expenditure amounted to 100000
Ovo rails.
The massive structure is of granite
throughout, except the frames of the
doors and windows, which are of mar
BILE
The entrance to the royal palace.
which is conceded to be one of the
most magnificent In the world, has
been further enriched for the present
occasion. II is gorgeously carpeted
and ornamented. illuminated day and
night by myriads of electric lights
concealed within the rich gold corn
ices, with halberdiers in their brilliant
uniforms acting as guards. At the
first landing serving as pillars to the
balustrade there are two enormous
lions OF stone, the work of Sculptors
Castro and Michel.
Ii is well known that Napoleon |.
had jealous regard for these lions on
the day he admired the palace, re-
marking to his brother that they were
better housed than he himself In
Paris.
The high vaulted ceiling contains
notable paintings by the NeapcIitan
artist, Carado Gisquinto. The Sale
des Ambassadors, where the impo-
sing reception will take place after
the wedding, is one of the most splen-
did apartments of the palace, with
furnishings of incalculable value. The
walls are hung with crimson velvet
and gilt ornaments. The enormous
mirrors, which came from the royal
factory of La Granja, are surrounded
by heavy gold frames of the time OF
Charles w., while intervening statutes
of bronze and marble represent heroes
pagan gods and allegorical figures. On
each side of the throne statues OF
Prudence and Justice are represented
as the councillors 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 a brilliant contrast,
being clear and luminous. II was ex.
ecuted by famous Venetian painter,
and Is said to be one of the most fin
ished decorative works In the world.
The idea developed in this vast com
position is THE glory of the Spanish
monarchy" represented by a proud
matron seated on a throne and attend
ed by allegorical deities. The imagi-
nation of some recent visitors to this
gorgeous apartment has led to the re-
port that Princess Ena greatly resem-
bles the matron seated on a throne.
Many of the salons are decorated
with rich embroidered cloths and the
luxurious furniture and ceiling were
painted by Manages, Balyen, Velasquez,
Vicente Lopez and Juan Rivera.
Princess Ena is said to take special
interest in the china hall, so called,
not because the royal china is kept
there, but because the ceiling and
walls are covered with porcelain, the
joining of which is cleverly concealed
by figures in polychrome relief. An
other sumptuous salon is the large
dining hall, decorated with tapestry
woven in gold and silver by Panne-
maker in Brussels for Philip II.
Besides the foregoing main apart
ments there are many others OF great
richness. Some of them contain the
famous collection OF old clocks; others.
including the chapel, contain most in
teresting relies Of the old Christian
era.
Ena's Wedding Gown a Creation.
The wedding dress Of Princess Ena
has attracted great interest In Spain.
as 1t is truly a Spanish product in
fabric finish. except for the wonderful
Brussels lace. which has been bought
to adorn 1t. It was fancy OF the king
and the queen mother that the we'd
ding dress should be made In Spain.
and the princess graciously fell In with
this patriotic sentiment. The dress is
therefore one OF the special presents
from the king. and is a marvel of ele-
gance. The silk was manufactured
from a special pattern in one of the
large Spanish silk establishments. It
was made up with all the artistic skill
Of the court dressmakers. The silk is
heavily overlaid with wonderful silver
embroidery with soft frills of the
finest Brussels lace, said to have cost
$50 yard. The laces were publicly
exhibited before being put on the dress
and excited the admiration and aston
ishment Of the aristocratic ladies of
Madrid. Orange blossoms are profusely
used with the silver embroideries and
laees for the corsage and even in dain-
ty clusters along the train, which is
four yards long.