Palace of Carranza
| Royal Palace of Carranza | |
Palacio Real de Carranza | |
 | |
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Type | Palace |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Location | Cárdenas |
| Current tenants | King of Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Construction started | 1686 AN |
| Owner | Monarchy of Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Height | 40 m |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Floor area | 120,000 m2 |
The Royal Palace of Carranza is the official working residence of the Nouvelle Alexandrie Royal Family at the city of Cárdenas. The Royal Family also has a main living residence in Ciudad Real north of Cárdenas. The palace has 120,000 m2 (129,000,000 sq ft) of floor space and contains 315 rooms. It is the largest functioning royal palace and the largest by floor area in Keltia.
The palace is partially open to the public, except during state functions, although only a selection of rooms are on the visitor route at any one time due to its sheer size, the route being changed every few months. An admission fee of NAC€9 is charged; however, at some times it is free. The palace is owned by the Royal Family, but administered by the Department of Civil Works and Transportation. The palace has two entrances: the north is on the Royal Gardens, which are owned and maintained by the palace as well, is known for its massive staircase; the south entrance is on the Avenida de Palacio Real, and is the main entry for most people. It has an Underground Metro station at the south entrance and at the entrance to the Royal Gardens.
The palace was built in 1686 AN as part of the New Prosperity Plan to become the working residence of the King of Nouvelle Alexandrie, Manco Cápac. The building was completed only in 1689 AN due to its massive size. The site was chosen at the old location of the Imperial Palace which had stood there since the Empire of the Alexandrians. Much of the Santander architecture that was used for that Palace was rebuilt, and neo-Genevan architecture was used for the new sections of the palace.
Exterior
North Entrance
The Northern Entrance connects directly to the Royal Gardens, and is renown for its monumental staircase. The staircase is flanked on both sites with statues of both religious figures and historical people, including several of the Emperors of the Alexandrians. Honourary statues were placed here for the tragic Death of King Manco Cápac I and Basileus Giakoumis in 1718 AN, and for the passing of Sinchi Roca I in 1735 AN. Halfway up the staircase, a shallow, mosaic-lined pool was installed in 1706 AN to honour a gift by Emperor Hiroto of Sanpantul, a small school of golden koi fish.
The North Entrance is closed to the general public except during state ceremonies or by special invitation. Guards with ceremonial silver helmets and crimson cloaks, known as the 'Guardias de Sangre Real' (Martino: 'Guardians of the Royal Blood') stand at attention 24/7, reinforcing the entrance's role as a symbol of royal authority.
South Entrance
In contrast to the formal grandeur of the North Entrance, the South Entrance is the palace's public face, designed to welcome citizens, tourists, and everyday visitors. Located on the eponymous Plaza de Palacio Real, this entrance is a bustling hub, connected to the Metro station of the same name.
An important artifact is the Petitioner's Bell, housed in a characteristic stone pavilion beside the main entrance to the Palace. It is guarded at all times by two armed 'Guardias de Sangre Real', and is audible inside the Palace. When rung by a member of the public, usually the Deputy Secretary to the King corresponds with the petitioner, although sometimes this may be performed by the principal Secretary himself. Between three and six audiences are granted generally each month by the King.
The entrance itself is a triple-arched portico, supported by six Ionic columns of pink granite. Above the arches, a frieze depicts the construction of the palace, with workers, architects, and nobles rendered in detailed stonework. The central arch is the tallest and most ornate, crowned with a pediment featuring a carved royal coat of arms—a lion and a phoenix flanking a shield bearing the motif of the Royal Crest.
Interior
Grand Vestibule
Directly beyond the South Entrance lies the Grand Vestibule, a spacious, light-filled hall with a coffered ceiling and walls lined with veined white marble. The floor resembles a mosaic of the landscape of Nouvelle Alexandrie, with Cárdenas marked in gold. . The Palace is not generally open to the public, except for invited guests and the occasional public tour for which tickets are required. On extremely rare instances, tour visitors can catch a glimpse of the King or Crown Prince(ss). Especially Crown Princess Sayari has been known for accompanying tour guides on several occasions since coming of age in 1740 AN.
Royal Residence
The Royal Residence (Martino: Residencia Real, Wechua: Reypa Tiyasqan) occupies the central area of the Palace's first floor, designed for both privacy and security. It is where the King of Nouvelle Alexandrie works when in the palace, receives guests, and rests. The Residence is divided into four separate areas:
- King's Apartments (Martino: Apartementos del Rey): a suite of five interconnected chambers, each dedicated to a specific function. These include the King's Bedroom, King's Study, King's Dressing Room, King's Chapel, and the Audience Chamber. Only the Audience Chamber is welcome for visitors, and is lined with dark oak paneling, featuring a throne of crimson velvet and gold filigree, symbolising the monarch's authority. It is the place where petitioners who have been granted an audience are heard.
- Queen's Suite (Martino: Aposentos de la Reino): a slightly smaller set of four interconnected chambers. These include the Queen's Bedroom, Queen's Salon, Queen's Dressing Room, and Queen's Chapel. The Salon is the only publicly accessible room, and is famous for its ceiling fresco, Alegoría de la Sabiduría, painted by the famous Isabel Montclara. It hosts intimate gatherings of artists, poets, and philosophers.
- Crown Prince's Suite (Martino: Aposentos del Príncipe Heredero): a smaller but equally lavish set of four rooms, including a bedroom, chapel, private library, and a music salon. The salon is renowned for receiving tutors and dignitaries.
- Royal Nursery (Martino: Habitación del Bébé Real): a sunlit, circular room with hand-painted murals, used for royal infants.
Palace Commons
The Palace Commons (Martino: Zonas Comunas del Palacio) occupies the central and western part of the Palace, housing the majority of the palace's public and ceremonial facilities. It includes five major areas:
- Royal Library (Martino: Biblioteca Real): a two-story, barrel-vaulted chamber with mahogany bookshelves reaching the ceiling. It holds over 50,000 volumes, including first-edition works by Alexandrian scholars and manuscripts of Caputian, Babkhan, and Wechua origins. A spiral staircase of wrought iron leads to a reading gallery, where scholars may request access to rare texts under the watchful eyes of the Royal Librarian. The library’s domed ceiling is painted with a celestial map, marking the constellations as they appeared on the night of the palace’s completion.
- Royal Armoury (Martino: Armería Real): A long, dimly lit hall lined with glass cases displaying armour, weapons, and banners from Nouvelle Alexandrie's military history. Generally considered off-limits to visitors, except for public tours. Highlights include the sword of Emperor Edgard II; a suite of ceremonial armor worn by King Manco Cápac during the Wechua Spring; and war standards from every Region of Nouvelle Alexandrie, as well as historic banners from Alexandria, Caputia, and Babkha.
- Royal Pharmacy (Martino: Farmacia Real): a small suite of two rooms originally used as the royal infirmary, this space now serves as a museum of medical history, including exhibitions on the Alexandrian Flu, and a reconstruction of a royal physician's study complete with brass plates, mortar and pestle, and herbal remedies.
- Royal Ballroom (Martino: Salón de Baile Real): the social and diplomatic heart of the palace, the ballroom is a spectacle of opulence. It is renown for its golden walls, inlaid with precious gemstones; and the porcelain-tiled floor arranged in a mosaic of the royal coat of arms. The painted ceiling is a masterpiece by Diego Velásquez, depicting gods and celestial bodies. The room is dominated by a massive crystal chandelier.
- Jewel Room (Martino: Salon de las Joyas): a secure, windowless chamber located on the first floor of the Palace Coommons; acting as the repository of the Monarch's most precious and symbolic regalia. Access is restricted to the King, the Crown Prince, and Knights of the Order of the Crown Jewels (Martino: Orden de las Joyas de la Corona), with armed guards standing watch at all times. The room houses the Royal Throne of Nouvelle Alexandrie, carved from black marble and inlaid with platinum and sapphires; the Royal Scepter, a rod of solid gold topped with a fist-sized diamond; and the Crown of Manco Cápac, a circlet of white gold set with alternating rubies and emeralds, representing the unity of Alduria and Wechua. It is worn only during coronations and the most solemn of state ceremonies.
Royal Chapel
The Royal Chapel is located on the ground and first floor of the eastern part of the Palace, accessible via a grand corridor lined with religious iconography. It is used by the Royal Family for religious ceremonies, as well as royal weddings and events for both the Autocephalous Nazarene Church and Faith of Inti. The chapel includes:
- The Nave: a lofty, white-marble space with rows of oak pews, each carved with intricate Nazarene knots.
- The Altar: elevated on a platform of black and white marble, it features a golden tabernacle and a mosaic of St. Natsanet, the central messenger of the Nazarene faith.
- The Royal Pew: a secluded balcony reserved for the monarch, decorated with velvet drapery and silver candelabras.
- The Crypt: located underneath the chapel, the royal mausoleum is where all past kings and queens are interred in tombs of alabaster and bronze. The crypt is opened on All Hallow's Eve, when visitos may pay respects to royal ancestors.
Staff Apartments
Tucked away on the second floor and rear wings of the Palace, the Staff Apartments are a self-sufficient network of hundreds of rooms dedicated to servants, chefs, guards, and administrators who keep the palace running. It is a labyrinth of corridors, kitchens, and living quarters.
- Servant Quarters: Simple but well-appointed rooms for maids, valets, and footmen, each furnished with a comfortable bed, washstand, and wardrobe. Senior staff, such as the Royal Chamberlain and Steward, enjoy private chambers with fireplaces and small parlor.
- The Kitchens and Pantries: A vast, bustling complex where dozens of cooks, pastry chefs, and scullions prepare meals for the royal family and their guests. The Grand Kitchen has multiple stoves, marble countertops, and industry-grade ovens for large parties. Adjacent pantries store fine china, silverware, and the Royal Wine Cellar.
- Administrative Offices: Here, the palace's clerks, accountants, and secretaries manage the logistics of royal life. The Private Secretary to the King oversees a team of secretaries who track schedules, inventories, and budgets. A dedicated post room ensures that royal correspondence is sorted, sealed, and delivered with utmost discretion.
- Royal Barracks: A vast complex that ensures the security of the Palace and the Royal Familiy within. The Captain of the Guard oversees the guards inside the palace. A dedicated security room monitors visitors and palace grounds 24/7 to ensure absolute safety for the King.
Royal Archives
Located directly to the side of the Plaza de Palacio Real, the Royal Archives (Martino: Archivo Real de Palacio) is a national archive created by Sinchi Roca I in 1724 AN for the purpose of hosting the Lost Archives of Nouvelle Alexandrie, which were deemed of significant historical value at the time. Since then, its mission has expanded to include the compiling and preserving of the history and documents of the Monarchy of Nouvelle Alexandrie, as well as the Empire of the Alexandrians and the Kingdom of Babkha. It currently holds over 600,000 documents, artifacts, and cultural objects.
