disapproval of her childless marriage to King Ferdinand VII. The palace was also used by King Francis, consort of Queen Isabel II to avoid his wife and used later still by King Alfonso XII, who resided there while mourning his beloved wife Queen Maria de las Mercedes. Points of interest within the palace include the patio addition, grand staircase, chapel along with its collection of paintings, tapestries and furniture. It is surrounded by a vast forest of 625 hectares, home to deer among other animals. Today Riofrío is the home of a museum dedicated to the history of hunting. See also List of Baroque residences References External links Further reading Royal Palace of Riofrío at the Patrimonio Nacional Hunting museum at the Royal Palace of Riofrío The Royal Palace of Riofrío at Google Maps Palaces in Castile and León Palaces in Spain Royal residences in Spain Houses completed in 1752 Baroque palaces Baroque architecture in Castile and León Bien de Interés Cultural landmarks in the Province of Segovia Hunting museums Museums in Castile and León Historic house museums in Spain