Galería de las Colecciones Reales (2)

A bit of the history of the shift from the Hapsburg dynasty to the Bourbons. Much to the surprise of those who expected him to name an heir from his own dynasty, Charles II stipulated in his will that the Spanish crown would pass to a Bourbon. The monarchy passed to Philip, born in 1683, the grandson of Louis XIV of France. He was king for 45 years as Philip V, the longest reign in the history of the Spanish monarchy.

That decision triggered a lengthy war of succession (1701-1714) in which Philip, allied with the French, fought the forces of the other pretender to the throne, Archduke Charles of Austria, who had the support of England and the Netherlands. The international consequences of this conflict was that Spain lost its territorial hegemony in Europe.

It was interesting to see a number of cartoons and other artistic works by artists such as Goya translated into tapestries by the Santa Barbara Royal Tapestry Factory in Weavers.

There was so much wonderful art on display I had to do a second page and also show the succession to the Spanish Throne.Read more