Biblioteca Pública Municipal - Eugenio Trías. Casa de Fieras de El Retiro, Public library in El Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain.
The Biblioteca Pública Municipal - Eugenio Trías occupies two historic pavilions built in the 1700s as part of the royal zoo complex within the park. The interiors have been modernized with contemporary amenities while preserving the original architectural character and layout of the buildings.
The pavilions were built during the reign of King Ferdinand VII as housing for the royal animal collection and served as a zoo for more than a century. The structure was converted into a public library in the early 2010s to bring cultural resources to visitors of the park.
The name originates from the zoo that once occupied this site, a major attraction in the park during the 1800s that drew curious visitors from across the city. The original building structure still reflects this past use, creating an unusual setting for reading and studying.
The library sits within the park on a path that is easy to navigate with good signage and clear walkways connecting to other park routes. The facility features elevators and accessible areas throughout to serve visitors with mobility needs or those using strollers.
The building once housed exotic animals from around the world as part of a royal menagerie, making it one of Europe's earliest zoos when it operated. Little remains visible of this animal collection today, but the pavilion structure still hints at its unusual past use.
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