2-798-994 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Royal Palace at Madrid - the Armeria, 1845. View of '...the enormous Royal Palace, or, rather, a portion of it, as seen through the noble archway of the Armeria; at the same time, affording a glance at the street architecture of Madrid. La Armeria real is one of the finest armouries in the world: the noble gallery, which fronts the south side of the Palace...was built in 1565, by Gaspar de La Vega, for Philip II., when he removed the Royal armoury from Valladolid. This, as it really contains weapons of all kinds, is a double curiosity, being the best provided arsenal in the land...The collection of swords is, however the most interesting ; for this weapon, Spain has always been celebrated'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.