El Retiro Park is the largest and most popular park in Madrid. It is an unavoidable attraction for every visitor. This green oasis covers an area of 125 hectares. A huge park that is perfect for walking and recreation is located in the city center. The Park has over 15.000 trees, many flowers and designed gardens. Only in this park can you see Andalusian classicist gardens, some of which were created during the Kingdom of Spain, and which were commissioned by some of the Spanish kings and queens for their personal enjoyment. Madrid’s oldest tree is located here, a Mexican conifer that is 400 years old, and under which grow roses that belonged to the Rosaleda rose garden and the Parterre Francés.
Apart from being a green oasis of the city, a place of relaxation and recreation, this park is the most active park in Madrid, where exhibitions and performances for children and concerts are often held. There is an artificial pond in the park, where it is possible to rent a small boat and enjoy romantic rides. There are two palaces in El Retiro Park, one is the famous Glass Palace and the other is the Velasquez Palace.
Sculptures and cultural monuments around the lake and in the park are located on "every corner". There is an almost built observatory in the park, for a beautiful view of the whole place.
Perhaps the most interesting sculpture in the park is the statue of the "fallen angel", the only statue in the whole world dedicated to the devil. It is interesting that this statue is located at exactly 666 meters above sea level.
The most visited fountain in the park is the "Galapagos" fountain, which was built in honor of the Spanish Princess Isabel II. Apart from large significant monuments, no less important are the small monuments, which in Madrid are called "king's whims". Today, the "king's whims" only complete the beauty of the park. There are restaurants in the park, and the most famous of all is the restaurant in the complex "Florida Retiro", for complete comfort when visiting this magnificent green oasis.
This park is perfect for long walks, for riding bicycles rented in the park, or rollerblading, for children's play, watching ducks and swans, but also reading a book, which can be rented in the public library "Eugenio Trias", which is located in the park.
The Madrid Book Fair is held every year in El Retiro, as well as the famous fireworks during the celebration of the patron saint of the city of San Isidro. The most beautiful time to visit is from spring to the beginning of winter.
Author of the text:
Maja Glavaš, Bachelor with Honours in Communicology. Works in Tourism.
Contact: [email protected]; instagram: travel_europe1
photo credit: Jose Luis Nunes
