The Alcázar

The Alcázar was an ancient Arab fortress of the ninth century that was converted into a palace through different remodeling desired by the King of Spain. From the reign of Charles V and Philip II it became one of the most important buildings of the monarchy. The exterior was in brick, with slate-roofed towers which served as a reference for other smaller palaces, following the model imported by the Austrias. The Alcázar faced a large square (now Plaza de Oriente), which served as a backdrop for courtly ceremonies. The interior spaces were filled with collections of paintings, tapestries and objects of gold. In 1734, a devastating fire burned the entire building, leaving it in ruins. The monarch Philip V then ordered the construction of a new building, the Royal Palace which still can be seen in the center of Madrid.