spanish inspirations from el pardo

I went to the World Market today to stock up the essential tapas storage with olives, tapenade, cheeses, and of course dried meats and salamis. While then having my lunch I enjoyed the regal views of the El Pardo Palace in Madrid in my old photo folders. So refreshing.

The building of the pavilion started in 1406 by King Henry III of Castile on Mount El Pardo, because of its abundant game. Later, in the time of Charles V (1547), it was transformed into a palace. This was an alternative residence of the kings of Spain until Alfonso XII, who died in the palace in 1885. Now the building is owned by the state and open for visitors.

If you visit Madrid or Spain in general, be sure to visit as many palaces as you can as they are true treasures full of vibrant colours and provide some great ideas for interiors – and formal gardens if you have the latter. I am hoping that I will get to visit some more this summer, maybe finally the Moorish cities of Cordoba and Granada.

Great architecture, beautiful gardens and interiors. Blue skies, warm breeze, sweet smell of flowers. Afterwards some tapas and a jug of Sangria in a little taverna. That is the sweet life when visiting Spain.