Royal Palace of Riofrío, Royal Palace in San Ildefonso, Spain
The Palace of Riofrío is a baroque royal estate near San Ildefonso in Segovia province. The building forms a square with four corner towers and an inner courtyard, with the facade painted in pink and green tones.
Isabel de Farnesio commissioned architect Vigilio Rabaglio to build this residence in 1751 after the death of her husband Felipe V. The work stretched over decades and the palace never became her main home.
The name Riofrío comes from the cold streams that run through the grounds and can still be heard in the surrounding area today. Visitors often notice the tall windows and wide corridors that make the building feel airy.
The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday and closes on Mondays, with longer hours during the summer months. Access is via a paved road that is also suitable for wheelchair users.
Inside, the building now houses a hunting museum with a collection of taxidermied animals from around the world. The rooms were never fully furnished, so many halls remained empty and still convey a bare atmosphere today.
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