El Retiro

I'm in love. I know what you're thinking, 'she went abroad and fell in love--how cliché', but this is different. My love provides for me, regardless of my mood, and encourages me to express myself. My love surprises me everyday with something new--there is never a dull moment. My love provides me with an outlet from the hustling of this busy city. My love urges me to collect my thoughts and healthily process what is going on in my head. My love will never abandon me--the thought of me leaving in 4 months and leaving my love behind is actually quite disheartening. And although we only encountered each other a mere two days ago, my love makes me a better person.

Two days ago I went with my group to the park and this is where the encounter first occurred. Madrid's main park is called 'El Retiro' and is the country's equivalent to our central park. It is about half the size of New York's counterpart, however it boasts many different attractions. El Retiro, known formally as Parque del Buen Retiro, translates to Park of the nice/pleasant retreat. The park was initially built in 1505 as a retreat for the Jeronimo's monastery under Isabella I. The Spanish Court was officially moved to Madrid in 1561 under King Philip II, and as such, the Retiro was adopted by the royal family as their retreat. In the 1620s, major expansions took place for the Retiro, including the addition of monuments and palaces decorated by famous Spanish painters, such as Velazquez and Giordano. The palace was destroyed during the Peninsular War (1807-1816). However, under Queen Isabella II, the garden and much of the park was restored. In 1868, Queen Isabella was overthrown and the park was handed over to public use, as it remains to this day. 

Bosque at the main entrance of El Retiro

The park still boasts this royal character and many of the original fountains and monuments remain. Unlike American parks, which aim to provide free space for the public to enjoy, the majority of European parks focus on the beauty of the park itself, not necessarily its use. As such, there are numerous gardens and forests in the park, however there are not as many open fields. And there is no precious zoo, like the one we all love in Central Park. As such, El Retiro has its own character and cannot be compared to anything else. 

grand fountain in park's center

cherub fountain

When we went as a group on Thursday we walked around a bit and observed some of the key attractions in the park: the Crystal palace, the fountains, the Monument to Alfonso XII, etc. Some of the buildings, such as the crystal palace, even hosts free exhibitions of famous artwork, sponsored by the Museo Reina Sofia (Guernica's home museum). However, the vastness of the park ensures that you can never see its entirety in one visit. And every time one goes, he or she is bound to encounter a new surprise. 

crystal palace

 

Monument to Alfonso XII, and row boaters!

I was so enamored with the park this first day, and had only had a mere taste, that I needed to go back the next day. A few of my friends and I went yesterday and sat down, wrote postcards, took a stroll; we enjoyed ourselves and nature. El Retiro is also the perfect place to go for a run and escape the city. There are very few runners on the streets of Madrid (the air is not extremely healthy to run in and the streets are filled with people); however, running is quite popular at the park. And, better yet, it is a beautiful course. Honestly, I could easily go to El Retiro every day. The park provides me a place to collect my thoughts, go for a run, go for a stroll, or just sit. It is so peaceful and beautiful--the perfect display of natural beauty. 

Taylor in front of one of El Retiro's creeks

Taylor and I climbing a tree (it is actually illegal to climb trees in this royal park....oops)

And this is my love: El Retiro.