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An architectural beauty, stunning in broad daylight as well as at night, it's always a pleasure for the eyes and it's no wonder it's on every must-see list in Madrid.
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Date of experience: March 2020
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We went to Retiro Park just for some down time and a relaxing stroll but then we stumbled across this enchanting 19th century glass palace. It stopped us in our tracks. It’s fairy-tale beautiful and is absolutely worth visiting for its own sake. The entire structure is plate-glass and cast-iron and has something of an exquisite birdcage effect. Inside are glass vaults and a central dome and outside, columns and balustrades lead to the prettiest lake. It really is as lovely as it sounds. Temporary art installations or exhibitions from the Reina Sophia gallery are held here regularly and entry is free. It was built in 1887 as a sort of immense greenhouse to exhibit tropical flora and fauna from the Philippines (which was then a Spanish colony). The Queen Consort of Spain, Maria Cristina of Austria, declared it open for public viewing. It would have been marvellously exotic at the time, much like London’s Crystal Palace. For many years, it fell into disrepair but was fully restored in 1975. After waiting in a short queue for the exhibition, we walked the circuit around the lake and then lingered, watching the water-jet fountains and ducks. If you have children with you, there is a lot to appeal to them. Although the glittering glass structure is what catches the imagination, look out also for the easily overlooked but colourful, hand-painted ceramic tiles with vines and winged griffins and ducks around the base.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
7 Helpful votes
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The Palacio De Cristal is a gorgeous glass and cast iron structure in Retiro Park in Madrid. My wife visited on a Sunday afternoon. It was a relaxing and leisurely experience. The crystal house is one of the main features of the park.
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Date of experience: November 2019
1 Helpful vote
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This is an iron-and-glass palace built in 1851. It was designed to stage an exhibition of tropical plants in the Philippines Exposition of 1887. This palace has become a forum for art displays. It is surrounded by a lovely pond.
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Date of experience: October 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Such a beautiful place. You feel as though you are stepping into a fairy tale! The surrounding gardens are beautiful as well with a huge pond, flowers and lovely walking areas.
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Date of experience: August 2020
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