The big pond in the Retiro Park

The beautiful Paseo de las Argentinas, nicknamed the Promenade of Statues, offers a grand entrance into the stunning Retiro Park. On the way here, you’ve come across ninety-four statues of Spanish kings, who stood on the cornice of the Royal Palace until 1760. After that, the king relocated them here in the park to follow what was trendy at the time. Look closely, you may also spot the only known statue of the devil! It’s the famous Fallen Angel statue, first unveiled at the 1878 World’s Fair in Paris. Rumor has it that it’s positioned exactly 666 meters above sea level. Anyway, this park is huge, so take your time exploring its 125 hectares of green space, displaying a rich and varied botanical collection. You’ll find a perennial garden, an Andalusian garden, a rose garden, a French garden, and even a Mexican cypress known to be the oldest tree in Madrid. Since the 25th of July 2021, Retiro Park and the surrounding Paseo del Prado area have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large pond you see in front of you—a typical postcard image of the park—was designed in 1634 by architect Cristobal de Aguilera. Not just for decoration, as it used to serve for water performances such as mock naval battles or even a space for nobles to enjoy boat rides. Back then, there was even an island in the center that served as a stage for theatrical and musical performances. If you feel like it, you can do the same by renting either a rowboat, a solar-powered boat, or even a canoe.