An essential corner to visit
The Crystal Palace in Madrid is located in the heart ot the Retiro Park, surrounded by a beautiful setting and facing a small artificial lake that enhances its beauty. To appreciate it in its magnitude, we recommend you go around the lake passing through the small artificial cave until you reach the great granite staircase.
It is a monumental and diaphanous structure of iron and glass in the shape of a Greek cross. Its metal structure covered with large glass plates creates a transparent architectural space in which light enters through all its walls and vaults.
The palace is considered one of the best examples of iron architecture in Spain.
Any time is a good time to make this visit, although each moment of the day gives it a different charm. Due to its orientation, in the morning the sun hits the main façade, while at noon everything is illuminated equally and at dusk a special backlight effect are created.
Curiosities of the Crystal Palace
- It was originally conceived as a greenhouse to house tropical plants for the Flora Exhibition of the Philippine Islands (1887), a Spanish colony at the time. Its architect, Ricardo Velásquez Bosco, was inspired by the Crystal Palace in London built in 1851.
- Following the exhibition it was used as the venue for the National Exhibition of Fine Arts, held every two years.
- In 1936 it was the place used by Manuel Azaña, to be elected as President of the Republic.
- In 1975 its first restoration was carried out, returning the structure to its original conception.
- It is currently one of the exhibition venues of the Reina Sofía National Art Museum, where the famous Guernica (Picasso) is exhibited. So you will have the opportunity to visit one of its temporary exhibitions.
For information on timetables or how to get there, you have this link on the website of the Madrid City Council.
Whats around the Crystal Palace
Visit the Prado Museum, the Plaza de la Cibeles, the Puerta de Alcalá. We also recommend this plan to visit Madrid in 1 day, these tips for your first visit to Madrid or the 10 most visited places in Madrid. and the Parish of San Jeronimo.
Our closest accommodations
We have apartments in the El Retiro area and, apartments in the Centro area and bordering the Retiro area, we have a less touristy area, apartments in the Salamanca district.
Accommodation by category: list of apartments for companies or list of apartments for students, or our apartments for days next to Calle Serrano and Paseo de la Castellana, in the Escultor Building.
If you are an investor or owner, we help you maximize the return on your property, but it may be you also request a Golden Visa.
