Royal Armory in Royal Palace of Madrid

Royal Armory Of Royal Palace Of Madrid

The Royal Armoury of the Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the most fascinating armoury exhibition halls which was established in the 16th century in Spain. This place boasts one of the oldest collections of items which brings alive the military history of Spain. The Armoury was built by King Charles V who started collecting swords, armour, guns and firearms through the course of Spain’s military history. In addition to being a military museum, the Royal Armoury shows the rich cultural heritage of Spain through its Baroque architecture and paintings by Bosch and Titian. Whether you are an art lover or a history enthusiast, the Royal Armoury promises to enthral you with many armour designs and battle weapons. 


A visit to the Royal Armoury of Madrid helps you understand the development of armour suits and weapons in Spain from the medieval times to the Renaissance. You can see an array of artefacts which belong to the period between 13th and 19th century AD. In addition to the display of weapons, you can look at the suits of armour which were worn by King Charles V during the war. Some of the noteworthy collections which you can see here include the weapons which helped in conquering Granada and weapons donated by a Japanese gentleman to King Philip II

Things to See at Royal Armoury of Madrid

Symbolic and Ceremonial Weapons

The Royal Armoury of Madrid has on display an interesting collection of military artefacts that symbolise the grandeur of Spanish crowned kings. You can see notable items like the ceremonial sword of the Catholic monarchs, the rapiers sent by Pope Clement VII and the swords associated with El Cid, el Gran Capitán, Roland and Boabdil. These artefacts also showcase the traditions, rituals and ceremonies that were associated with Spanish royalty.


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Core Collection of Charles V and Philip II

At the Royal Armoury of Madrid, you can see many tournament pieces which were designed for King Charles V and Philip II. You can also see the full armour and weapons which were worn by King Charles V in the Battle of Muhlberg during the Schmalkaldic War. These armours are believed to have been forged between 1519 and 1560, during the Renaissance and were produced in high-level workshops, such as Mattheus Frawenbrys, Caremolo Mondrone, or Bartolomeo Campi.

Gifts and Diplomatic Exchanges

You can look forward to seeing many diplomatic and family gifts received by Spanish royalty at the Royal Armoury in the Royal Palace of Madrid. Some of the popular items displayed here include the shogun gifted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Philip II. Other gifts housed in the Royal Armoury include those gifted by Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia, Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria and the Sultan of Turkey to King Philip II and King Charles V.

Medieval and Renaissance Artifacts

At the Royal Armoury of Madrid, you can see the transition in the development of military weapons from the medieval times to the age of the Renaissance. You can admire art pieces like frescoes, tapestries, sculptures and wagons that reflected the cultural influences of the Renaissance. The weapons also boast gold-rimmed glass plates and velvet saddles which showcase the peak of glory of the Spanish military during the Renaissance.

Royal Regalia

Glance at the exquisite Crowns and sceptres that were once held parallel to Divine power. The lavish velvet cloaks worn by the Spanish Royalty, the Throne of Power, and the Royal cutlery are some of the things that can mesmerise you. These Royal Regalia provide a glimpse of the traditions, rituals, and ceremonies that surrounded the Spanish Royalty. Apart from that, they also stand as symbols of the prestige and authority of the Spanish Empire.

Weapons of the Granada War

While visiting the Royal Armoury of the Royal Palace of Madrid, you’ll be enthralled to see many war weapons which bear testimony to the Granada War. You can see illustrative defensive pieces worn by Spanish, Italian and German soldiers during that time. Some of the popular collections of firearms you can see here are from the Nasrid Sultanate of Granada and Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria. 

History of Royal Armoury of Madrid

  • The Royal Armoury in the Royal Palace of Madrid is located on the land which was once an old Moorish fortress in the 9th century. 
  • The collection of armour, weapons and firearms for the Royal Armoury was started by King Charles V of Spain in the 16th century. 
  • The current building of the Royal Armoury of Madrid was completed in the 18th century as per the orders of King Philip V. 
  • The main architect of the building was Filippo Juvarra and architect Giambattista Sacchetti conceptualised Baroque design for its architectural layout. 
  • In the twentieth century, the building was closed for restoration works after the Spanish Civil War and later opened to the public to get a glimpse of Spanish military history.

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FAQs

What is the Royal Armory?

The Royal Armoury of Madrid is an exhibition hall where you can see different armour, weapons and firearms that belonged to Spanish kings. In addition to discovering the military history of Spain, it also delights art lovers with its stunning architecture and paintings.

What are the opening hours of the Royal Armory?

The Royal Armoury is open for visitors from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Monday to Saturday. If you plan to visit on a Sunday, then the timings are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The last time for admission of visitors is 60 minutes before closing time on all days of the week.

Is there an admission fee for the Royal Armory?

Yes, you need to pay an admission fee to visit the Royal Armoury of Madrid on all days of the week. However, you may get free entry from Monday to Thursday if you are entering after 5:00 PM. The admission fee ranges between INR 550 to INR 110 and you can book the tickets online. 

How long does it take to visit the Royal Armory?

You need to keep aside at least one hour to explore Royal Armoury properly. You can discover an array of artefacts and weapons which were once used by Spanish kings during war. The Royal Armoury also gives a glimpse of the evolution of Spanish military history through various armour designs. 

Is the Royal Armory accessible for visitors with disabilities?

Yes, the Royal Armoury of the Royal Palace of Madrid is accessible to visitors with disabilities. It is wheelchair friendly which allows you to discover the collection of artefacts of Spain’s military history. It is located on the ground floor of Royal Palace which makes it a convenient visit for disabled people also. 

Are guided tours available at the Royal Armory?

Yes, guided tours are available at the Royal Armoury in the Royal Palace of Madrid. You would need a guide to explore the entire Royal Palace, and as this exhibition hall is a part of the building, you can tour this place with a guide. You can opt for a human guide or an audio guide. The prices for booking either of these range from INR 360 to INR 450.

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