Published on August 3, 2011 | by Andrea Guerriero
0Most famous parks and gardens in Spain
Spain is, above all, a mosaic of cultures, ancient and modern, sacred and profane. The beauty of this land is startling. And the life force of its people is fascinating. In one word, Spain is wealthy and its wealth affects all forms of expression, even those of nature.
The love for nature is reflected inside the same metropolitan areas and large cities, where concrete too often replaces green. In addition to historic buildings, prestigious museums and quaint roads, in Spain you will find many wonderful places where to stroll, relax or simply wander outdoors. We are talking about the historic gardens, large green spaces where you can enjoy the contact with nature right in the middle of a city.
So here is a list of the most beautiful green spaces in the main Spanish cities.
The Turia gardens are the pride of Valencia. They were created at the end of the twentieth century, after the catastrophic flood of 1957. Developed by Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill, in this park there are bike paths, sports facilities and areas of standard gardens. Among these, one of the most remarkable is the Palau garden, which hosts the famous Music Palace.
Parc de la Ciutadella, for many years has been the only city park in Barcelona, a green area of 17 hectares. Inside the park, as well as green areas, you can find the Museum of Zoology, the Zoological Park and the Museum of Geology – opened in 1882, as well as many statues and monuments.
Buen Retiro Park is one of the major areas of interest in the city of Madrid. It was built together with the Buen Retiro Royal Palace between 1630 and 1640. In the XVIII century, the access to the park was opened to all citizens, provided they were clean and well dressed, according to order of King Charles III. In the park, visitors can admire many monuments, the wonderful Rosaldeda – a rose garden, created in 1915 – and three fascinating fountains. In 2005 was inaugurated the Forest of the missing, which commemorates the 191 victims of the attacks of March 11th, 2004.
Parque F Garcia Lorca, located in the modern area of Granada, is named in honor of the famous Spanish playwright, and is spread over the ground where he had his home. The park consists of a network of sunny trails, relaxing areas surrounded by palm trees and shrubs; here there are different varieties of trees, play areas for children, stalls and outdoor cafés, terraces and pavilions.
Parque de Maria Luisa is the largest green space in the city of Seville, between Plaza de España and the Paseo de las Delicias. Part of the private gardens of San Telmo Palace, this park was donated to the city by the Duchess of Montpensier, Maria Luisa, in 1893. It faces two streets, both designed by architect Anibal Gonzalez, Plaza de España and Plaza de America.
If you’re planning a holiday to Spain, don’t forget to check out some of these wonderful places.
Photo by frankartculinary