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Information On Spain : Parque del Buen Retiro (Madrid’s Famous Park)

One of Madrid’s foremost attractions is Retiro Park, or Parque del Buen Retiro. It contains miles of paths and walkways to explore, a peaceful lake, and many beautiful sculptures and monuments, and is host to a variety of events and festivals throughout the year.

It was once the site of a royal palace and has housed many culturally and historically significant buildings both prior to and since it was first opened to the public in 1868. It’s a shame that some of those buildings are no longer standing because of the Napoleonic wars, regardless the remaining ones are well worth the visit.

Popular among the park grounds are the Palacio de Cristal, which is a glass structure which was used for housing exotic plants, and then there is the Palacio de Velquez, a place for exhibitions held by many industries which is now rendered as an art exhibit. So too are the Casn, which now houses a collection of famous 19th and 20th century paintings, and the Ejrcito, which is one of Spain’s foremost military museums.

The centerpiece is large lake near the northern entrance, called the Estanque del Retiro. It is often busy and crowded during the summer, which is when families and couples on vacation relax by the waters edge while enjoying the ambiance and scenery. Local vendors dot the shore, renting boats to visitors who wish to take more intimate look at the lake’s beauty.

The delightful Rosaleda rose garden and the Cecilia Rodriguez gardens as well as the fantastic restaurants nestled together on Serrano Street, are all  well known attractions frequently visited by locals and tourists.

There are many outdoor cafes in and around the park for you to sample a range of Spanish cuisine. It’s also a place of entertainment and you’ll likely see street musicians and dancers, jugglers and fortune tellers alongside the ordinary citizens who are simply out for a walk.

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