Palacio de Cristal is a place to admire art and relax.
Palacio de Cristal (museoreinasofia.es) is a glassy pavilion overlooking a lake in Madrid's city park Parque del Retiro. Ricardo Velazquez Bosco established the building in 1887 as a greenhouse to host a exhibition of exotic plants from the Philippines. When the exhibition ended, the government decided to use the building for temporary art installations. The Museo Reina Sofia manages the art installations at the Palacio de Cristal, where you can also relax in contact with nature, enjoy the company of friends or a book or engage in your favorite artistic activity.
Enjoy Art
Palacio de Cristal hosts temporary art installations. According to the Museo Reina Sofia website, previous art installations include the works of Evaristo Bellotti and Josiah McElheny. In 2008, Belloti presented an installation that covered the Palacio's floor area using 1,668 marble flagstones covered by water. Entitled "A Space for an Island Universe," McElheny's work consisted of sculptures of hand-blown glass and chrome plated metal. Theories about the origin of the universe and the chandeliers of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York inspired this art work, also on display in 2008.
Enjoy Architecture
Palacio de Cristal 's building is a piece of art on its own, mostly built of iron and glass. Velazquez Bosco projected the Palacio de Cristal inspired by London's Crystal Palace, which had been built a few years earlier. However, the building is also a good example of the so-called iron-architecture of 19th century Spain. Reflected on the water of the front lake, the Palacio de Cristal seems to float, despite its solid architectonic structure.
Have a Picnic
Entrance to the Palacio de Cristal and the surrounding grounds is free of charge on weekdays and weekends alike. You can invite some friends and arrange a picnic by the lake, and relax afterward in a Spanish style siesta under the shade of the trees. You can also take a book and spend all afternoon reading or simply admiring the palace's beauty reflected on the lake.
Draw or Take Pictures
When visiting Palacio de Cristal, take some pencils and sheets of paper and test your artistic ability. You can draw the building itself, or the ducks and geese that live by the lake. If you are not a confident artist, swap paper and pencils for a camera. Explore new angles, reflections, people and animals surrounding you.
