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Palacio de Cristal. Picture By Vpogarcia.

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Palacio de Cristal

Many of these exciting sites can be found at the famed Retiro Park. While you are there should really check out the Palacio de Cristal.

In the following article, we will profile this one-of-a-kind Madrid attraction, including some facts about its features, history, and pertinent visitor information. An imposing glass palace modeled after London’s Crystal Palace can be found in the heart of Madrid’s Buen Retiro Park.

It was designed by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, who was also responsible for another building in the park, the Palacio de Velázquez, and was built 36 years after its London counterpart in 1887.

He had also worked on prestigious restoration projects such as Córdoba’s Mezquita and Granada’s Alhambra. Let’s quickly have a look at some of the exciting facts about Palacio de cristal;

1. It has an iron framework and gorgeous decorations of ceramics

Beautiful Palacio De Cristal. ByJose Antonio Gallego.

The Palacio de Cristal is designed in the shape of a traditional Greek cross, with glass as the primary building material. It has an iron framework and beautiful ceramic decorations.

It stands 22 meters tall at its tallest point, atop the majestic domed roof. The front of the Palacio de Cristal features a series of steps leading down to the park’s artificial lake, where visitors can get a close-up look at the ducks, geese, terrapins, and black swans that live there.

They can even rent a small row boat or paddle boat to get a better view of the lake and its surroundings.

2. It was designed by architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco

Ricardo Velázquez Bosco. Picture By Universidad de Huelva.

Ricardo Velázquez Bosco designed it in the late nineteenth century. He based it on Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace, which was built in Hyde Park (London) in 1851.

The glass plate and cast-iron structure rest on a brick base decorated with ceramic tiles by Daniel Zuloaga. The horse chestnuts surround the palace, which was restored in 1975.

It is located next to a small pond with ducks and geese, just a short distance from the Velázquez Palace, which is also used for temporary exhibitions by the Reina Sofa Museum.

3. It was the site of a parliamentary vote for the president of the Spanish Republic

The structure was originally designed to display tropical plant life from the Philippines. Which was a Spanish colony at the time. It was the site of a parliamentary vote for President of the Spanish Republic in May 1936.

Manuel Azaa was elected to the palace, but he had no competition because he was the only candidate.

The structure was renovated in 1975, and it now houses temporary art exhibits as part of the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.

4. The Palacio led to a revival of other Churches

The Palacio de Cristal exudes regal grandeur, resembling a large Gothic cathedral with its cross shape and cupola.

Ricardo Velázquez Bosco also assisted in the restoration of churches such as the famous Cathedrals of Leon and even the Mezquita de Cordoba, once one of Spain’s most important mosques.

The design of the palace may reflect the influence of these powerful churches.

5. The palace is also outfitted with a boat landing on the waters of the park’s small lake

The view of the Palacio small lake. By Heparina1985.

The ornate glass and steel greenhouse in Buen Retiro Park, which sits on the edge of a lake, was completed in 1887 as a space to exhibit arts and wonders in a setting that was both lovingly baroque and still naturally stunning.

The structure is stunning, from the high glass dome to the bright red brick foundation. Because the walls are glass, visitors can enjoy the park’s lush green surroundings in addition to whatever exhibition is on display inside.

The palace also has a boat landing on the waters of the park’s small lake, as well as an entrance with classically styled columns.

6. The First exhibition in the space was a display of exotic Vietnamese plants

Given that the palace is essentially a greenhouse, it’s no surprise that the first exhibition in the space was a display of exotic Vietnamese plants brought into Spain for the occasion.

Originally, the palace planned to continue displaying wondrous plants in space. But as time passed, the palace began displaying more art than flora.

Anyone who wants to see the art on display inside or the natural vistas outside, or both, can still visit the Crystal Palace today.

7. The Palacio lies close to the Fountain of the Fallen Angel  

Currently, the awe-inspiring Palacio de Cristal houses various exhibitions of modern art and is a popular tourist destination in Madrid.

The palace is located on Paseo Duque de Fernán Nuez. In front of a beautiful artificial lake, close to the contentious Fountain of the Fallen Angel.  

8. Palacio is now an art exhibition site

Seeing an art exhibition at the Palacio de Cristal is otherworldly. The building’s pristine glass encasement gives way to the greenery outside, creating a surreal effect that makes the viewer acutely aware of man and nature coexisting.

Despite this powerful setting, the art installations do not take a back seat and instead blend in with their surroundings.

Nacho Criado’s work frequently incorporates disused and found materials, as well as glass as a medium, which further connects the venue to the displayed artworks.

The exhibition, which is still on display at the Reina Sofia Museum, recreates a piece from 1991. Fungus grows on some of the glass panes that face an evergreen forest, connecting the inside and outside.

9. It served as a greenhouse for tropical plants

A building in El Retiro stands out for its resemblance to a greenhouse, which it was. For the Philippine Islands Flora Exposition, the Crystal Palace was built. It served as a greenhouse for tropical plants while also creating the artificial pond in front of it.

The Crystal Palace is more than just a glass building. It has served several important functions, including hosting the National Fine Arts Exhibition and serving as one of the Reina Sofa Museum’s exhibition centers.

The work “Invisibles” by Jaume Plensa will be on display from November 16 to March 3. This work is made up of three pieces that are an allegory for the silence required to see what appears to be invisible.

The artist’s intention with these sculptures is to invite silence at a time when there is so much noise.

10. Recently granted a spot as a  UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021

UNESCO World Heritage Palaio de Cristal. By Renek78.

The small weathered plaque outside the Glass Palace details its history as a greenhouse that hosted the first Exposicion General De Las Islas Filipinas in 1887.

Where, the Spanish brought back flora, fauna, and artifacts from the colonies they established in the Philippines to showcase. However, the plaque omits one crucial aspect of the Glass Palace’s history.

The exhibit also featured Igorot men and women, people captured by the Spanish and exotified for the public’s benefit from the mountains of Northern Luzon, Philippines.

After seeing the exhibit for himself, prolific Filipino writer José Rizal wrote that it was no better than a “human zoo” in which his people’s non-Western identity was displayed through their clothing.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Paseo de Cuba, 4, 28009 Madrid, Spain

28001

(+34) 91 774 10 00

Spain Madrid,

info@museoreinasofia.es