🌳 El Retiro Park in Madrid: History and Evolution

El Retiro Park is one of the most iconic green spaces
in Madrid 🌿 and a key part of the city’s historical heritage.
Its origins date back to the 17th century,
when it formed part of the former
Royal Site of Buen Retiro,
a complex made up of a royal palace
and extensive gardens.

Today, the palace no longer exists,
but the gardens remain as one of Madrid’s
most important historic parks 🏛️
and a central space for the city’s cultural
and social life.

🏰 Origins of the Royal Site of Buen Retiro

During the reign of Philip II,
this area was home only to the
Royal Quarters of San Jerónimo,
located next to the monastery of the same name.
This space served as a place of retreat
for the monarchs in times of mourning,
following the death of a member
of the royal family 👑.

This function gave rise to the name
“El Retiro”.
Over time, the site was expanded
to extraordinary dimensions.

Its woodlands allowed the hunting of deer 🦌,
while its canals and ponds made it possible
to enjoy gondola navigation 🚣,
following Italian-inspired landscape models.

🚣 The Retiro Pond and Royal Festivities

The Large Pond of El Retiro
became one of the most important areas of the complex.
It hosted major celebrations 🎭,
theatrical performances
and mock naval battles ⚓.

These events were reserved exclusively
for the royal family and the nobility.
If you would like to explore this space further,
you can view this

historic photograph of the Retiro Park pond
.

The park was not gradually opened
to the general public
until well into the 19th century.

👤 El Retiro under the Count-Duke of Olivares

The main promoter of the construction
and expansion of Buen Retiro
was the Count-Duke of Olivares,
chief minister to King Philip IV.
Construction of the palace began in 1631.

Funding came from the sale of public offices,
the remission of penalties
and the collection of taxes.
This caused strong public opposition,
as the luxury of the project contrasted sharply
with Spain’s delicate political
and military situation at the time ⚔️.

🏛️ El Retiro as an Open-Air Museum

By the end of the 19th century,
the park began to be used
as a space for cultural exhibitions 🎨.
From this period date
the Velázquez Palace
and the Crystal Palace,
built for the exhibitions of 1883 and 1887.

Today, El Retiro Park
is a true open-air museum 🖼️
and one of the most important green lungs 🌱
in the heart of Madrid.

📖 El Retiro Park in the 20th century: a public park in the heart of Madrid

© Written by the editorial team of arquitectura.vilssa

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