Holiday Rentals in Spain in Madrid and the Parque del Buen Retiro

There is a saying that says take the time to smell the roses: well if your HOLIDAY RENTALS IN SPAIN happen to be in the city of Madrid you can do just that in the Parque del Buen Retiro. Even though this park is only 300 acres, which is not that big for a park, it is by far the most popular one in the city of Madrid. You can have a great day in the park just strolling through it while taking in the street musicians, sidewalk painters, fortune tellers, jugglers and street performers while they entertain the crowds of people. While you are in the park there are some interesting sculptures and monuments scattered throughout the area that are worth a look at.

Originally this was a Royal park as it belonged to the Real Sitio del Buen Retiro Palace. King Philips IV built the palace in 1632 as a retreat for the royal family; at this time it was not in the city but some ways outside the city walls but today it is completely enclosed by the city of Madrid. It opened to the public in 1868 and part of it was laid out in a formal French style while the remainder was in a more natural fashion. As you pass through the park take note of the Cason del Buen Retiro and the Museo del Ejercito that represent part of the parks history. Sadly the other buildings that would have allowed you to trace the history of this area were destroyed in the Napoleonic wars. Today Cason is home to some 19th and 20th century works of art including pieces by the Spanish painter Sorolla.

Today the Ejercito is one of Spain's more prominent army war museums with one item in particular on display. The item in question is the sword called La Tizona that once belonged to El Cid. Also in the museum on display is a cross that was carried across the ocean when Columbus discovered America along with other armour used on the day.

The Estanque del Retiro Lake is situated at the northern entrance to the park. This is a good place to rent a boat and row around the lake giving you excellent views over the area. Nearby is the 1922 statue of King Alfonso XII sitting on a horse; while mounted he appears to be riding along the lake shore. Next to the lake is the Palacio de Cristal that was built to resemble the famous Crystal Palace in London and is filled with exotic plants, but if you want to smell the roses pay a visit to the Rosaleda home to a magnificent rose garden. It's here that you will see a statue in the middle of the roses that shows Satan as a fallen angel and is entitled El Angel Caido believed to be the only one in Europe.

When staying in your HOLIDAY RENTALS IN SPAIN in the nation’s capitol of Madrid, the Retiro Park is easy to find as it is located just east of the city centre. It is also situated close to the Prado Museum with the park’s main entrance accessible from the Alcala Gate. This gate is at the Plaza de la Independence which is also a good place to visit after you have been to the park.

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