| A visit to Aranjuez is one that you will remember for | | | | The Palacio Real |
| a long time. You will be delighted by the palaces and | | | | A good starting point in your visit to Aranjuez is the |
| gardens built by Spanish monarchs and the clean, | | | | Palacio Real or Royal Palace. Built in 1778, it has a rich |
| brisk air of this city that is near Madrid but does not | | | | collection of objects on display, ornaments and |
| have the smog and bustle of the capital. You will | | | | furniture produced by the best craftsmen of the age |
| especially enjoy visiting the palaces and other | | | | as well as the personal objects that belonged to |
| monuments that were raised by Spanish monarchs | | | | several monarchs. The Porcelain room is dedicated to |
| and decorated by master craftsmen. | | | | porcelain objects d'art while the Smoking Room has a |
| The Town of Aranjuez | | | | wonderful copy of the Alhambra in Granada. |
| Aranjuez is a town situated in central Spain, about 29 | | | | The Casita del Labrador |
| miles from Madrid on the banks of the Tagus River. | | | | The Casita del Labrador built by Charles IV reminds |
| It was the headquarters of the Knights of Santiago | | | | you of the Trianons at Versailles. Inside you will |
| who were instrumental in the fight against the Moors | | | | marvel at the profusion of objects in marble, silk, gold |
| in the Reconquest. Several monarchs also built | | | | and even in crystal that caught the fancy of this |
| summer residences as well as hunting lodges in | | | | Spanish King. He was especially interested in the |
| Aranjuez and even though most of these have not | | | | collection of clocks and managed to gather together |
| endured the passage of time, those that have | | | | a good representation of the most eye-catching |
| survived are well worth a visit. | | | | specimens of that age. |
| The Environs | | | | The Jardin del Principe |
| The area is known for its agricultural production as | | | | A good place to walk and enjoy the atmosphere of |
| well as important chemical and textile industries. The | | | | this town is the Jardin del Principe, a lovely garden |
| strawberries and asparagus produced here are much | | | | that faces the historic Tagus River. You can sit down |
| in demand in nearby Madrid. The area is also famous | | | | and enjoy the cool evening breeze, watching the |
| for the breeding of horses and has produced many | | | | smooth flow of the Tagus as it winds its way to the |
| world class winners in racing and jumping. | | | | Atlantic across most of Spain and Portugal. |