Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace, Glass conservatory in El Retiro Park, Spain
The Crystal Palace is a glass pavilion in El Retiro Park, built with a cast-iron frame that supports large transparent panels across its walls and curved roof. The central dome rises 22 meters (72 feet) high, and the whole structure sits on a brick base beside an artificial pond that reflects the building in the water below.
The pavilion was designed for the 1887 Philippine Exposition and originally displayed tropical plants from the Spanish colony. Architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco drew on Victorian glasshouse design, and the structure remained in the park after the exposition closed.
Today the building hosts rotating contemporary art exhibitions run by the Reina Sofía Museum, with installations that interact with the transparent walls and filtered daylight. Artists often create site-specific works that respond to the water reflections from the adjacent pond, making each visit a different encounter shaped by weather and season.
The building stands in the southern part of El Retiro Park, reachable on foot from the main entrance at Puerta de Alcalá or from the large pond. Entry is free, but the pavilion may close temporarily during rain or strong winds for safety reasons.
The ceramic tiles around the base were made by Daniel Zuloaga, a leading figure in the Spanish ceramics revival of the late 19th century. They feature floral patterns in blue and green tones that link the brick foundation to the transparent glass above.
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