Santiago Castroviejo Bolívar Greenhouse, Greenhouse in the Real Jardín Botánico, Retiro, Madrid, Spain
The Invernadero Santiago Castroviejo Bolívar is a greenhouse in the Real Jardín Botánico, located in the Retiro area of Madrid. Opened in 1993, it consists of glass structures filled with natural light and houses plants from desert, tropical, and temperate climates under one roof.
The Madrid Botanical Garden had an older greenhouse from the 19th century, but it became outdated over time. The current structure opened in 1993 as a modern replacement and was named after the Spanish botanist Santiago Castroviejo Bolívar, known for his work on European plant classification.
The greenhouse is divided into three climate zones: a dry desert-like section, a humid tropical one, and a temperate area. Visitors can walk through all three in a single visit and see plants from the Canary Islands, cacti, succulents, and tall palms growing side by side.
The greenhouse is inside the Real Jardín Botánico, which requires a general admission ticket to enter. The interior can feel warm and humid, so wearing light clothing is a good idea, especially in the tropical section.
Among the plants in the dry section, there is an Aloe schelpei whose shape so closely resembles an Agave that many visitors confuse the two. The greenhouse also uses helpful insects rather than chemicals to control pests, meaning small bugs are actively at work keeping the plants in balance.
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