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The first stone was laid in 1738 and the
building was finally completed in 1751 ,
although sculptural decoration of the
grounds and " external works " continued
until 1759 , under the watchful eye of
Sacchetti . Unfortunately , his work suffered
from constant redrafting and was
significantly altered by Francisco Sabatini ,
the architect of Charles III who was the first
king to live in the Royal Palace , installing
his court there in 1764 .
Charles III , who already employed Corrado
Giaquinto as his court painter when he
arrived in Madrid in 1760 , invited two other
painters who were very well - known in Italy –
and therefore in Europe – to decorate his
new home : the Venetian Giambattista
Tiepolo and the Italian - trained German
Antonio Rafael Mengs , his first official
portrait painter . The frescoes painted by
these two artists in the main rooms , and by
their pupils in other parts of the palace , are
one of the most impressive features of this
royal residence , where Charles III and
Charles IV would spend just eight weeks a
year : in December , Easter week and part of
July .
Charles III ' s bedroom , which forms part of
the private chambers of this illustrious
monarch , still contains all the fixed
furnishing designed by Sabatini for the
entire main floor : solid mahogany doors
and window frames ; lavish Spanish marble
archways , mantelpieces and friezes ; and
stucco ceilings and frescoes . In the 18th
century , the walls of the palace were lined
with the best painting from the Royal
Collection .
The Throne Room and the Gasparini Room
are the most representative of Charles III ' s
personal tastes , showcasing a highly
exuberant Italian interpretation of the
Rococo decorative style . Charles IV added
significant neoclassical elements and a
range of French furnishings and Ferdinand
VIII is to thank for the overwhelming
collection of French bronze - and - glass
chandeliers . The last decorative changes ,
transforming the Palace into its current
historical state , occurred under the reign of
Alfonso XII in 1879 .
The chambers of Charles IV and María Luisa ,
which were used by all successive monarchs
until 1931 , extend along the entire length of
the eastern facade . These rooms are
regularly used to hold royal audiences ,
since the Palace is still the official
residence of the King of Spain .
The Royal Armoury , hailed as the best
European collection together with the
Imperial Armoury of Vienna , which are both
attributed to the Hapsburgs , was installed
alongside the Alcazar by Phillip II and
transferred to the current room in 1891 .