JARDINES DEL BUEN RETIRO
1 Estanque Grande
2 Embarcadero
3 Monumento a Alfonso XII
4 Palacio de Cristal
5 Palacio de Velázquez
6 La Rosaleda
7 Fuente del Ángel Caído
8 Jardines de Herrero Palacios
9 Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez
10 Paseo de Coches
11 Montaña Artificial
12 Casita de Pescador
13 Casa del Contrabandista
14 Monumento al gral. Martínez Campos
15 Centro Cultural Casa de Vacas
16 Quiosco de Música
17 Teatro de Títeres
18 Paseo de las Estatuas
19 Fuente de las Campanillas
20 El Parterre
21 Bosque de El Recuerdo
22 Huerto del Francés
23 Oficinas de Parques y Jardines
24 Viveros Municipales
25 Biblioteca Eugenio Trías
26 Pabellón de Cecilio Rodríguez
27 Observatorio Meteorológico
28 Aula de Ecología La Cabaña
29 Herto del Retiro
30 Centro Deportivo La Chopera

[The map]

A finales del siglo XVII la ciudad de Madrid se extendía desde el actual Palacio Real hasta el paseo del Prado, donde se erguía la Cerca que definía los límites de la ciudad. Dos importantes palacios para el descanso y retiro real quedaban fuera de estas tapias: la Casa de Campo, al oeste, creada durante el siglo XVI, y el Real Sitio del Buen Retiro, al este, iniciado en el siglo XVII.

El incendio del Alcázar Real en 1734 hizo que el Retiro se convirtiera en la residencia permanente de la Corte, extendiéndose y ampliándose desde el paseo del Prado hasta su actual límite al este. Este gran Palacio contaba con unos extensos jardines que pasaron a manos del Ayuntamiento en 1868.

En el Retiro encontramos el testimonio vivo de 400 años de historia: jardines barrocos del siglo XVII y XVIII; jardines pintorescos románticos del siglo XIX; grandes monumentos conmemorativos, esculturas y piezas de jardinería moderna del siglo XX; museos y salas de exposiciones; estufas e invernaderos; estanques y fuentes, árboles y plantaciones singulares.

Protegido al máximo nivel que permite la legislación española, el Retiro es hoy un auténtico jardín de jardines, pulmón verde y corazón identitario de Madrid y sus ciudadanos.

Towards the end of the 17th century, Madrid extended from the Royal Palace in the west to the Paseo del Prado in the east, the limits of which were marked by the City Wall. At that time, there were two important Palaces beyond the wall which were used by royalty for rest and recreation. The first of these was the Casa de Campo, a 16th century palace, built to the west of Madrid. The second was the Real Sitio del Buen Retiro which stood to the east of the city. Building work on this second palace began during the 17th century.

In 1734, the royal family’s residence, the Real Alcazar, burnt down. The Court then moved to the Retiro palace which, in turn, led to the laying out of extensive gardens that stretched from the Paseo del Prado in the west to its present-day park limits in the east. In 1868 ownership of the Gardens was ceded to Madrid City Council.

Archeological remains have since been discovered in the Retiro which date back some 400 years and include baroque gardens from 17th and 18th centuries, charming 19th century romantic gardens, commemorative monuments, sculptures and 20th century Modern architectural displays, museums, exhibition halls, hot houses, ornamental ponds, fountains, and interesting tree plantations in the form of coppices and groves.

Protected by legislation, the Retiro is a Garden of Gardens. It is Madrid’s green "lung" and lies very close to the heart of all Madrileños.

[Emblem of Madrid]
MADRID

Buen Retiro Park is the central park of the city of Madrid and is designated a World Heritage Site (since 2021). The sign provides many details about the park.

The park was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image Click for a larger image
Entrance gate - Click for a larger image

Map of the park is shown in enlarged view Click for a larger image

Translation of the text on the sign:
GARDENS OF BUEN RETIRO
1 Large Pond
2 Pier
3 Monument to Alfonso XII Click for sign's details
4 Crystal Palace Click for sign's details
5 Velázquez Palace
6 The Rose Garden
7 Fountain of the Fallen Angel
8 Herrero Palacios Gardens
9 Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens
10 Coachway
11 Artificial Mountain
12 Fisherman’s Cottage
13 Smuggler’s House
14 Monument to General Martínez Campos Click for sign's details
15 Casa de Vacas Cultural Center
16 Bandstand
17 Puppet Theater
18 Statue Walk
19 Bells Fountain
20 The Parterre
21 El Recuerdo Forest
22 French Garden
23 Parks and Gardens Offices
24 Municipal Nurseries
25 Eugenio Trías Library
26 Cecilio Rodríguez Pavilion
27 Meteorological Observatory
28 La Cabaña Ecology Classroom
29 Herto del Retiro
30 La Chopera Sports Center

[The map]