San Ildefonso
de la Granja

San Ildefonso is called a miniature Versailles. It was a summer palace, built in 1731 by King Philip V, who was the grandson of King Louis XIV of France and the first Bourbon king of Spain (the present day king of Spain, Juan Carlos, is a descendant of his), so based directly on Versailles. French architects and landscapers were brought to give the place an authentic French style, and even the chestnut trees were imported from France. We were there a bit too early in the season, because the fountains were still turned off and few flowers had been planted. And it started raining. Oh well.

The palace and its formal gardens.

Looking back at the palace from the top of the fountains.

More formal gardens