Royal Architecture
The Parque del Retiro is situated in the most populated area of Madrid.
It is located east of the city’s center and accessible by train from different
points of the city. The park serves as Madrid’s main recreation area in a city
where green space is limited and exclusive to households. The park was created
in the early 16th century at the request of the Spanish monarchs as
an area of retreat for the royal court. It went trough several additions and
renovations through out the years, as did the city of Madrid. The city
eventually expanded outward and surrounded the park with busy city streets and
densely populated buildings. The park was design by architects at the request
of the monarchs for their private use. This is is why there are many royal artifacts such as statues and symbols throughout the park. It was not open to the public until the
late 19th century and since then there has only been the creation of
new rose gardens. In a sense the park has been shaped by the extravagances of
Spain’s Kings and Queens since the 16th century. Today the park
serves as the cities lungs and green space, which brings a healthy lifestyle
for Madrileños. The name Parque del Retiro or Park of the Retreat
serves its purpose as a place that draws people away from the hustle and bustle
of city life and into a zone of relaxation. It is a reminder to the Spanish
people of a once powerful and wealthy monarch as well as their democratic and modern
present day society.
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