La Royal Tapestry Factory of Santa Barbara It was born as one of the royal factories for the manufacture of luxury objects. Fruit of the mercantilist policy of the Spanish Enlightenment. It was founded in the year 1720 by Philip V, taking the French royal workshops as a model. Philip V entrusted his direction to Jacob Vandergoten, from Antwerp. He settled on a farm on the outskirts of Madrid, next to the Puerta de Santa Bárbara, in the Plaza de Alonso Martínez. That's why she is called Royal Tapestry Factory of Santa Barbara.

The most recognized artist who worked at the Royal Tapestry Factory was Francisco de Goya who worked as a cartoon painter from 1775 to 1792.

Since 1889 it has been located in the Pacifico neighborhood of Madrid, in a building built in 1889 and 1891. The building was designed by the architect José Segundo de Lema, Chief Architect of the Palace. Very close to the station Atocha on Fuenterrabía 2 street, now we can easily understand why the parallel street is called Vanderdoten, a very un-Madrid name, the result of the first family that was in charge of managing the Royal Factory.

It was built in a very sober neo-Mudejar style.

The Real Fábrica continues its activity as a non-profit foundation of which the Community of Madrid is the founding Patron. Its main purposes are the maintenance of artistic crafts linked to the centuries-old manufacturing and the conservation and restoration of textiles of Spanish Historical Heritage.

A highly recommended visit.

A abrazo.