Buen Retiro Palace
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Please expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Spanish Wikipedia. (March 2009) After translating, {{Translated|es|Palacio del Buen Retiro}} must be added to the talk page to ensure copyright compliance.Translation instructions · Translate via Google · Involve your language class |
Buen Retiro Palace (Spanish: Palacio del Buen Retiro) in Madrid was a large palace complex designed by the architect Alonso Carbonell (c. 1590–1660) and built on the orders of Philip IV of Spain as a secondary residence and place of recreation (hence its name). It was built in what was then the eastern limits of the city of Madrid. Today what little remains of its buildings and gardens forms the Retiro Park.
[edit] Today
The main remaining trace of the Palace complex is the Retiro Park, although these have no resemblance to the original design of the gardens, and encompass only half the original extension. Two other buildings remain, much altered from their original exteriors, both now destined to become part of the Prado Museum complex.
- The Salón de Reinos (originally the royal reception room), which for decades has housed the Museo del Ejército (Army Museum), that is now due to move to the Alcázar de Toledo in 2010–12.
- The Salón de Baile (originally the ballroom), now known as the Casón del Buen Retiro, once housing the 19th century Prado collections, it now hosts the Study Center of the Prado Museum. The ceiling of the main room is decorated by a magnificent fresco by the Italian artist Luca Giordano, painted around 1696–1697 for King Charles II of Spain and depicting The Apotheosis of the Spanish Monarchy.
[edit] External links
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- (Spanish) El Real Sitio del Buen Retiro
- (Spanish) El Palacio del Buen Retiro
Coordinates: 40°24′49.23″N 3°40′54.08″W / 40.413675°N 3.6816889°W
