The golden light and sense of ceremony of the Royal Palace of Madrid

I originally thought that joining the tour group to visit the royal palace was just a formality, but the Royal Palace of Madrid really surprised me. It’s not the kind of “golden glitz and glitter” that rich people use to show off their wealth, but every lamp, every wall, and every corridor is so exquisite that you won’t even blink. Although this palace is now only a place for the country to hold ceremonial activities, it still retains many aspects of the daily life of the royal family. The moment you walk in, it feels like you have accidentally walked into a painting frame from hundreds of years ago. ✨ As soon as I walked in, I felt that this place was for people to be quiet. When entering, I had to walk along a long palace corridor and then go through security check. We followed the tour guide in through the side door. The staff at the door reminded us that larger backpacks needed to be stored. There were several tourists in our group who brought camera bags, so we handed them over to the staff and stored them at the small counter next to the entrance. The process was quite fast. After entering the main hall, your eyes will be attracted by the golden chandelier at first sight, with symmetrical marble staircases and white statues below. The tour guide told us stories about the royal family while taking us through several golden corridors. The explanation was in Chinese, which was very friendly. I was able to remember a lot of details while walking and listening. Behind each door was another surprise: a room of tapestries, a room of paintings, a room covered with royal arms and inscriptions of military exploits. 🍽 The Royal Banquet Hall is indeed a bit "overly exquisite". The most memorable thing is the royal dining table that is so long that you can't see the end. Crystal glasses, silverware, floral arrangements and candles were set at every location. The flowers were fresh and the candlesticks were actually lit. I am not a palace fan or a history buff, but I couldn't help but hold my breath when I saw this scene. It’s not that I’m afraid of disturbing others, but I feel that this scene is not worthy of you saying a single word. Although you can’t walk into the dining table area and can only watch through a small rope, the lighting is great and any shot looks like a movie shot. 👑 The crown and scepter are still lifes with stories. In the second half of the tour route, there is an exhibition area with ceremonial items of the Spanish royal family. The most eye-catching thing is a crown made of red velvet with silver ornaments and a transparent crystal scepter. With the dim light next to it, it looks low-key but solemn. The tour guide explained that these things are not replicas but were actually used in history. Some tourists walked away quickly, but I stood in front of the display case and looked at it for a long time. Although there are reflections from the glass, if you choose a good angle, you can still capture the details clearly. 🏛 The beauty of space can be expressed calmly. The structure of the palace is very regular. The corridors, marble staircases, and statue halls all have a sense of symmetry that is "arranged just right." The light shines in obliquely from the tall windows, illuminating the gold ornaments and ancient paintings. You will find that this place is not just "magnificent" but also very aesthetic. Especially the transition space between the corridor and the archway, without any filters, it turns out to be a blockbuster of light and shadow. 🚪By the way, some small details about the visit (not a guide, just a reminder) Large backpacks are not allowed inside the palace, and there is a storage service at the entrance. It is recommended to carry as light as possible to make taking photos more convenient. The Chinese explanation went smoothly, and it was easy to understand and remember, so it is suitable for first-time visitors. There are signs in the rooms where you cannot take photos (a little hidden and not very conspicuous), so you won’t go wrong if you follow the tour guide. Some areas on the ground are slippery, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes, especially on rainy days or in winter. 📝 Some personal feelings: The trip was scheduled quite tightly, but I am still glad that the palace was on the itinerary. Even though I just took a quick look at it, without reading the text description slowly or standing for a long time to look at the painting, I still felt that it "taught me something". Those lights, patterns, carvings, and colors, they don’t speak, but they make you quiet. If there is anything special about this visit, it is that in a fast-paced itinerary, this place makes you slow down for a while.