With more than 15,000 trees of different species and 125 hectares of gardens, “Retiro Park” is the lung of Madrid.
Retiro Park is the favourite park for tourists thanks to its central location and is the scene of various activities.
With its many attractions, it is one of the top 10 places of tourism in Madrid.
History of Retiro Park
The Catholic Monarchs frequented the gardens of the Jerónimos Monastery. This fact is proven in the comments of Cardinal Cisneros in 1516: “The monastery of San Jerónimo is outside the walls of the city of Madrid, as the court is here most of the time, the royal people and many other knights of the court always settle there.”
In the seventeenth century, the Count-Duke of Olivares designed a space for King Philip IV and his court around the Jerónimos Monastery, and later, in 1767, Charles III allowed the public to enter for recreational purposes. It was during the revolution of 1868 that the site was permanently opened to the public. In 1935, it was declared an artistic-historical garden.
From the monastery that adjoins the park, we have its church and the Cloister, which must be visited through the Prado Museum, of which it is now part.
Components of the Retiro Park
The Buen Retiro Park is home to numerous gardens that run along its entire length. Among its architectural and historical elements, you can enjoy sculptures, monuments dedicated to illustrious characters, squares, sports facilities, ponds, and terraces where you can have a drink.
The extension of Retiro Park is 125 hectares with 15,000 trees.
The Estanque Grande has existed since its inauguration and offers several activities, such as rowing boats during the day and the Municipal Canoeing School for children and young people from 7 to 17 years old.
The Monument to Alfonso XII that borders it is a project by the architect José Grasés Riera of the twentieth century. The work frames the pond. With these two elements, any photograph will look like a postcard.
The Cristal Palace
The Crystal Palace was built in 1887. It is a construction of iron and glass. The most beautiful thing about the palace is the integration of its structure with the nature that surrounds it.
Palacio de Velázquez
Actually, the Palacio de Velázquez, located nearby the Crystal Palace, hosts temporary exhibitions from the Reina Sofía Museum and has a nice exterior made of two-tone bricks and ornate tiles.
Gardens into Retiro Park
In the Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens we can find small ponds, water fountains, sculptures, vines that climb columns, pergolas, and numerous peacocks.
La Rosaleda was built in 1915 and accommodates 4,000 rosebushes within its roughly 0.8 hectares.
Moreover, the Parterre Garden boasts the Bald Cypress, a species that has resided in the park since its establishment, and is deemed the most mature tree in Madrid.
The King’s Reserve includes the wishes of King Ferdinand VII as an artificial mountain, or the Fisherman’s House, which is nothing more than a construction supported by a platform in the middle of a small pond, and the Smuggler’s House, currently known as the Florida Retiro, which after its remodeling functions as a restaurant, terrace, and performance hall.
As an additional comment, the Book Fair or the San Isidro fireworks are organized inside the enclosure.
What to do near Retiro Park in Madrid
Near the park, you have the Art Triangle, formed by three of the best museums in the world. We also have San Jerónimo Parish and the Plaza de la Cibeles. From there, you can make a plan to visit Madrid in 1 day or use these tips for your first visit to Madrid.
Our accommodations in Madrid
We have apartments for months in the Centro area; for months in Retiro area, quieter and less touristy are the apartments for weeks in the Salamanca district. For short stay, we have accommodations for days next to Calle Serrano and Paseo de la Castellana, in the Escultor Building.
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