Royal Palace of Aranjuez

The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is a former royal residence of Spanish royalty. Located in the town of Aranjuez, it is open to the public as one of several Spanish royal sites in the Community of Madrid, Spain. Established about the time when Philip II of Spain moved the capital from Toledo to Madrid, Aranjuez became one of four seasonal seats of government, occupied during springtime . Thereafter the court moved successively to Rascafría, El Escorial and wintered in MadridSeveral historical western treatieswere signed in this palace; and several historically important personalities died here,including: 1568 Elizabeth of Valois the most beloved wife of Philip II 1758 Barbara of Portugal the barren wife of Ferdinand VI 1766 Elisabeth Farnese the widow of Philip V. 1806 Maria Antonia of Naples first wife of Ferdinand VII the Felon 1818 Maria Isabel of Portugal second wife of Ferdinand VII 1828Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony third wife of Ferdinand VII In 1931, during the Second Spanish Republic the Royal Site was declared an Artistic Historical Monument and opened to the public. The palace and associated buildings and gardens are part of the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape which was declared in 2001 a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Cultural Organization.