A beautiful place to shelter from the sun
1. THE ORIGINALITY OF THE PROJECT
It seems that Madrid has wanted to spin fine with this proposal, because the candidacy is based on the cultural, landscape and urban heritage of the area which, at the time, was going to belong to the never-built Palacio del Buen Retiro. In other words, what today is the Retiro Park, the Jerónimos neighborhood, the Salón del Prado and the Botanical Garden . A somewhat risky candidacy, since there are very few elements in this list that are based on the dialogue between nature and urbanism as well as in its respectable evolution over the centuries.
Come on, what Madrid proposes is give value to architectural and landscape elements that have been forming what is now a mecca of tranquility and good taste in the heart of the city, regardless of the mix of styles or eras. A coexistence, by the way, very harmonious and quite inappropriate for a city that loves improvisation. And so it meets the key requirement for UNESCO: be a place of accredited outstanding universal value.
The most beautiful building in Madrid?
two. THE CITY OF MADRID IS NOT ON THE LIST
Yes, all this is an outburst in search of greater international notoriety for the capital of Spain. But that does not mean that it is quite unfair that one of the cities with the greatest cultural potential in the world was not represented on the list. It is true that works of art do not count, but the axis formed by the Reina Sofía, the Thyssen and the Prado is unique in the world. With this solution they sublimate the latter while keeping the other two within the next area of tourist amortization. It is time to leave behind the cafés con leche in the Plaza Mayor and look for a boost in Madrid's heritage.
Plaza Mayor (Madrid)
3. IT IS THE GREAT HERITAGE OASIS OF THE CITY
In the 203 hectares that make up this delimited space, there are up to 23 monuments and parks considered Assets of Cultural Interest, the highest national cultural distinction. That is to say, it supposes an agglomeration that goes beyond the park and the museum and that includes spaces such as the Buen Retiro House , the monastery of the Jerónimos or the Royal Spanish Academy of Language . An area where there are almost more cultural buildings than to live in but without showing off or congregating large masses of static tourists.
Entrance to the park and Casón del Buen Retiro
Four. AND A GREEN LUNG
But on top of that, to all the cultural potential of the area, we must add the two large green areas that are The Retreat and the Botanical Garden , including the walks where there is no lack of trees shading the streetlights. And that's not counting the precious fix that was made in the Prado museum, enabling more meadows and open spaces. I mean, that without eating or drinking it passes from culture to chlorophyll . Insuperable.
The Fall Retreat
5. A CIVILIZED NEIGHBORHOOD
It is true that the greatest charm of Madrid is that crazy life halfway between latin loitering and european civism , that urban and social eclecticism and that feeling that the city does not belong to anyone and does not respect celebrations.
However, this neighborhood is quite the opposite, with streets laid out in straight lines, regal buildings, cafeterias for social gatherings in Sotto voce and a lot, a lot of peace. Does some crazy night end up on Moreto Street? Would any of Sabina's songs mint any run through these places? Well, no, and that's also why it's a rare bird in the capital where you can mature at ease after a wedding in Los Jerónimos and an old age in the Botanico greenhouse. But, above all, It is a perfect and unique marriage between chamfers, groves and monuments.
Surroundings of the Retiro: Church of San Jerónimo del Real
6. THE RETREAT IS A LANDSCAPE FLAWN…
Let's talk about the Retiro, its palatial roll, of its 'open until dark' and its scenes of family exaltation on Sundays and warm teenage love between diary . This park sums up the city.
He tries to be serious, but the municipal band and street musicians ask him to dance. It tries to be touristy, but the people of Madrid are the first to line up to get on their boats. It seeks to be monumental, but no one faults picnics, sweaty runners and improvised mayumaná under the tutelage of Alfonso XII . Perhaps the fault of this mess is its own eclectic landscaping, with a perfect mix between French rationalism, especially in the West; English organized chaos, in areas such as the Crystal Palace , and the rarities made in Madrid, such as the artificial mountain. Or perhaps everything is the product of El Retiro managing to make everyone enjoy, as if it were a universal leisure solution.
Retiro Park Pond
7. …AND ARTISTIC
El Retiro is also an open-air art museum. No one resists romantic magnetism (from Romanticism) that has the beautiful statue of the Fallen Angel, one of the few sculptures that represent the devil. Nor to the glass cathedral that is the crystal Palace (the most beautiful building in Madrid?) or the exhibitions that are organized in the Cow House (by the Madrid City Council) and in the Velazquez Palace (by the Reina Sofia) . Another thing is the cakey monument to Alfonso XII, although it must be recognized that the picture with the pond is very photogenic.
The fallen angel
8. NOT EVEN MONEO'S DARE HAS THREATENED THE SITE
The 21st century came like a gale in this area with the controversial expansion of the Prado Museum designed by Rafael Moneo and the restoration of the Jerónimos cloister. Controversies aside, the great architect was able to combine a contemporary design with the serious forms of the neighborhood, managing to fit what is today the last great building in this area with its stylistic demands. And the fact is that the project not only had to be effective and modern, but also respectful. Without this last criterion, right now we would not be dreaming of the UNESCO symbol ruling the city signs.
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Moneo's audacity
Architectural detail of the Palacio de Cristal del Retiro