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King Phillip IV visited the location around the year 1717 and the next year, enthused by its beauty and hunting potential, purchased the land with the intention of building a palace. Work started in the year 1721.
The king's first intention was to build a no-frills residence in which he could rest and go hunting. Later on, he and his wife Isabel of Farnesio embellished and extended it.

The architects
Various architects took part in the construction of the Palace: Teodoro Ardemans; Juan Román (assistant to Ardemans); Procaccini; Felipe Juvara and Sachetti.

The building
It is a beautiful example of European Palatine architecture, with gardens and fountains in the Versailles style. It presents French, Spanish Baroque and Italian influences, the latter of which was particularly strong between the years 1720 to 1740.

Its history
In the Middle Ages, the Castilian monarchs, who resided in the city of Segovia for extended periods, used to hunt on the slopes of Sierra de Guadarrama. On the plot where the palace was subsequently built, a temple had been built in the year 1450 by King Henry IV of Castile, a hermitage that years later was given to the Hieronymite monks at Parral, who went on to set up a farm and build an inn.

Phillip V, the first Borbón king in the Spanish crown, was charmed by the place, purchasing it and starting work on the palace in 1721. Later on, after the king's abdication, the Royal Site and Palace were reserved for the enjoyment of the king and queen.

When Carlos III came to the throne, the work started years before was recommenced. He also purchased the adjoining forests, which belonged to the city of Segovia, incorporating them into the crown in perpetuity. Over time, the palace fell into disrepair, a situation that culminated with the fire that engulfed it in 1918. Since then, it has undergone several restorations, finishing in the year 2000.

San Ildefonso has witnessed various memorable historical events: the betrothal of the future king Carlos IV and María Luisa de Parma, the signing of a decree in 1836 according to which Queen Cristina re-established the 1812 constitution, and the birth of Juan de Borbón, the father of King Juan Carlos.

Highlights

Temple
The temple is a very important element in the ensemble. It is located in the centre, and its beautiful bulbous capitals were a great novelty in Spain when they were built.

Façade
It was built using red sandstone from Sepúlveda by the Italian Juvara, combining various styles, albeit with a clear Italian influence. The entire façade is covered in balconies and windows flanked by columns with Corinthian capitals and huge pilasters running from the ground and covering the two storeys of the building. The decorative sculpture made by the sculptor Baratta is made of Carrara marble.

Roofs
The roofs are slated and a balustrade adorned with marble vases runs around the whole building.

Gardens
They were planned to be more important than the actual palace. The idea was to live in the countryside and build "a small house with a large garden". King Phillip V planned the construction in accordance with the French style, leading to a garden with abundantly decorated fountains and sculptures.
They occupy 146 hectares, of which 67 are actually forests. The plans were drawn up by the engineer Merchán and the gardening work was carried out by Botelou and Carlier, who designed for the ascending plot in front of the palace a garden laid out in three parallel and juxtaposed axes: The New Cascade, the Horserace and the Estuary. The highlights are the fountains, the sculptural groups and the statues made by Thierry, Demandré, Pitué, Fermín and Bousseau. The spectacular lake that has been named "the Sea" receives its waters from the nearby forests and in turn feeds the fountains. To complete the ensemble, numerous species of trees were brought in from different places and countries: cedars, limes, maples, chestnuts and sequoias