Buen Retiro
Buen Retiro Park – is an excellent park in Madrid, which is located within the city. It occupies 120 hectares of land in the very center of the capital of Spain and is its real attraction. Translated, the name of the park sounds like « good privacy ». Even during the reign of Philip II, it was on this territory that there were structures within the walls of which religious services took place.
From history, we know that the wonderful Buen Retiro Park surrounded the palace of Philip IV. On its territory, various special occasions, balls, as well as theater productions were often held. When Philip IV was not alive, no one needed this park, no one wanted to look after this area, invest in it and naturally, it was abandoned. A little later, Buen Retiro Park did not look attractive, as a result of Napoleon’s troops passing through its territory. Here, part of the structures turned out to be destroyed, as well as the imperial palace itself. Only museums of the Army and Prado, as well as several statues, could survive in those merciless times. Under the rule of Carlos III, the Buen Retiro Park could be visited by citizens, but provided that their clothes and appearance were neat. The city park was completely resumed under the reign of Ferdinand VII. A feature of this park in the middle of the city was a small lake, near which the monument to Alfons XII towered. In 1887, two castles were built in Buen Retiro Park, one of which was made of brick, and the second – crystal. In these unusual buildings it was customary to hold international exhibitions.
In the modern world, this park serves as an indispensable place for vacationers, both citizens and visitors. Here you can have a great time admiring the oldest cultural monuments, take a boat ride on the lake or just sit quietly in the shade on the bench.
Among the Buen Retiro Park, the oldest sculpture dedicated to Alfonso XII is presented. The monuments of culture serve as a complement to this wonderful memorial, which was erected in honor of freedom, peace, homeland, as well as the army and navy. These structures in the park were built by very famous sculptors. In the Madrid Park there is also a pavilion, the name of which in translation sounds like « House of cows ». Initially, this building served as an exhibition hall, where the best breeds of cows, as well as products from milk, were collected for display. At present, in these pavilions you can see various works of art.
Always visitors to the Buen Retiro Park are striking at the local facilities, which are called the Velazquez Palace and the Glass Palace. In one of them was a magnificent greenhouse, where you could get acquainted with the nature of the Philippine Islands. In the second, the country's metallurgy is presented for display.
The nature of the park is very rich and harmoniously represented. There are many decorative trees, bushes, well-groomed lawns and flower beds. Among the huge collection of plant plants of the park is an strawberry tree, which is a symbol of Madrid. Fountains fit into the wonderful landscape of this territory quite harmoniously, called « Fallen Angel », « Artichoshka » and Galapagos, each of them symbolizes something.
