Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace in El Retiro Park is one of the finest examples of so-called iron architecture in Madrid. Originally planned as a gigantic greenhouse to house tropical plants for the Philippine Islands Flora Exhibition held in 1887, it is now one of the venues of the Reina Sofía Museum, hosting various temporary exhibitions.

The architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco was commissioned to build it in 1887, inspired by the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park (London), designed by Joseph Paxton in 1851. The building, located next to an artificial lake and surrounded by horse chestnut trees, is covered with large sheets of glass and features ceramic decoration in small friezes and finials by Daniel Zuloaga.

In 1975, a complete restoration was carried out, returning it to its original appearance.