Gardens of the Plaza de Oriente

Located opposite the Royal Palace, these 1.6 hectares of gardens are part of one of Madrid's most popular tourist attractions. The gardens were the brainchild of Joseph Bonaparte, who intended them to highlight the Palace and the Royal Theatre. Since then, they have undergone many significant renovations, the most comprehensive being that directed by Miguel de Oriol in 1997.

In the center of the square stands the equestrian statue of Philip IV, cast by Pietro Tacca in 1640 based on calculations by Galileo Galilei. It is flanked by a large part of the collection of statues of Spanish kings that were intended to crown the Royal Palace. The gardens are designed in geometric patterns that provide visual interest and enhance the façade of the Royal Palace. Furthermore, they are situated at the heart of an important monumental complex that includes not only the Palace but also the Convent of the Incarnation.