La Granja de San Ildefonso

Highlights

  • • Philip V's Royal Palace (1721): the Spanish Versailles
  • • 146 hectares of French gardens with 26 fountains
  • • Fame Fountain: 40-metre-high water jet
  • • Royal Glass Factory (1727): museum and glass craft
  • • Fountain displays on San Fernando / San Luis / Santiago feast days

Description

La Granja de San Ildefonso is a Royal Site 80 km from Madrid, on the slopes of the Sierra de Guadarrama near Segovia. The Royal Palace, commissioned by Philip V from 1721 as a Spanish Versailles, is the centrepiece of a monumental ensemble including 146 hectares of French-style gardens with 26 monumental fountains, a maze and a large pond known as El Mar.

The fountains, gravity-fed from mountain reservoirs, are activated on special dates (San Fernando, San Luis, Santiago) creating an unparalleled spectacle of water and Baroque sculpture in Spain. The Fame Fountain shoots a jet 40 metres high.

The town preserves its 18th-century layout with the Royal Glass Factory (founded 1727, now a museum and glass craft centre), the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity and arcaded streets with restaurants where you can try the famous La Granja ham.

Key Information

Visit Duration

3-5 hours

Related Destinations

Guide

Essential information for visiting La Granja de San Ildefonso

Location

How to get there

By carBy public transport
Practical Information
Visit Duration
3-5 hours
Historical Facts

Philip V ordered the palace construction in 1721. The Royal Glass Factory was founded in 1727. The 26 monumental fountains were designed by Rene Fremin and Jean Thierry between 1721 and 1745.

Things to do

Activities and experiences near La Granja de San Ildefonso

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about La Granja de San Ildefonso

Fountains are activated on special dates: 30 May (San Fernando), 25 July (Santiago) and 25 August (San Luis). Also on other special days. Check patrimoniacional.es.
Palace: EUR 9 general. Gardens: EUR 4 (free Wed and Sun for EU). Fountains operating: EUR 4 extra.
From Segovia: 11 km via CL-601 (15 min). From Madrid: A-6 + AP-61 + CL-601 (1h15). Buses from Segovia every 30 min.