The palace is a tourist attraction in its own right, but we
were particularly interested because it also played an important role in the
1808 siege. Prior to the siege it
contained a garrison and the military stores of the city. The civilian population rose against the pro
French governor, captured the palace and the military stores.
This rather strict security guard seems to think today’s
tourists might also be a threat to the security of the palace. He was determined to make each party form in
small groups ready to be sent forward to the cash desk!
Jan, Les and Jen seem to be particularly unimpressed by the
security guard and his orders
The palace has been rebuilt since the siege and is one of
the most popular tourist attractions. It
also seems to be popular with local art students. As students often do, they just spread out
and take over the place.
We had a guide for the visit, which made it all much more
interesting. She did not know much about
the siege of 1808, but she did point out the floor at one end of this
room. Apparently this had been the
armoury for the French garrison. They
loaded their muskets by banging the butt on the floor, causing much
damage. At one end was a large cabinet
where the muskets were locked up. This was the only section of the floor not
damaged.
In one room there was a collection of black and white
photographs taken in 1908, to celebrate the anniversary of the siege. This is the Puerta del Carmen gate which is
now a roundabout and featured in the previous blog.
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