The Madrid Royal Palace is the official residence of the Kings of Spain and, even if they don’t actually live there anymore (now they live in ‘El Pardo’ Palace) the Royal Guard still makes the ceremony of the Change of the Guard, as a way to keep alive a centenary tradition. It is a live museum!
There are two events, one that takes place once a month, and one a lot smaller, a few times per week:
Changing of the Guard
Every Saturday and Wednesday from 11:00 to 14:00 (In July and August it is from 10:00 to 12:00).
The Changing of the Guard takes place every 30 minutes at the ‘Principe’ entrance, the one in Oriente Square.
A military band performs while the guards and horses parade.
‘Puerta del Principe’ is the gate where you can see the Change of the Guard on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Solemn Changing of the Guard
100 guards and 100 horses march as they did in the kingdom of Alfonso XII, with a military band.
When: It takes place the first Wednesday of the month, at 12:00 (Except for January, August and September).
Where: is hold in the Armería square, the Royal Palace big patio.
How long it is? The performance last 50 minutes.
It is free, and very popular, so you need to be there before and make a line in the Santiago Gate (Bailen street), once they open you will get inside of the Royal Palace patio.
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