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Royal Botanical Garden of MadridReal Jardín Botánico de Madrid
One of the clear benefits of visiting Madrid is the weather. While the old saying might be "nine months of winter, three months of hell," many tourists will find Madrid's climate quite welcoming for most of the year. The so-called Madrileño "winter" doesn't compare to the wet, grey slog endured by most other Europeans or many North Americans for a sizable chunk of the year.
While
studying in Europe for nine months, I had the pleasure of visiting my
girlfriend in Madrid half a dozen times from October to May--and even in the
depths of winter, I was able to enjoy one of my favorite discoveries in Madrid:
The
Real
Jardín Botánico, or the Royal Botanical Garden, was founded in 1755 by King
Ferdinand VI. Spread over 20 acres next to the world-famous Prado Museum, the
Garden is divided into three subsections and two greenhouses. The different areas of the
Garden range from the aesthetic and aromatic to the primarily educational. The greenhouses (divided into tropical,
sub-tropical, and desert environments) are fascinating, with their range of
flora found natively everywhere from Laos to Louisiana--as well as Spain.
The Real Jardín Botánico is worth a visit for anyone. While visiting one warm
and sunny May afternoon, I saw a group of kindergartners with their teacher,
elderly Spaniards, tourists of every background, and more than a few young
couples (besides me and my companion). There's something for everyone here, from
roses to Venus Flytraps. That particular American export was not the only
carnivore, however--one surprising find was a small sparrow attempting to
devour a butterfly (which somehow escaped intact). All of this nature comes conveniently located in the heart of Madrid,
immediately neighboring the Prado Museum and within easy walking distance of
Retiro Park, the Reina Sofia museum, and Atocha train station. The admission fee
is modest, so there's
really no excuse for missing this oasis of sanity in the midst of the urban
hustle and bustle.
Directions:
Getting to the Royal Botanical Garden is simple. Just take Metro line 1 to
Atocha station and walk up the Paseo del Prado until you see the entrance to
your right (on the Plaza de Murillo). Hours: The Royal Botanical Garden is
open daily from 10:00 a.m. until between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. depending on the time of year,
except for Christmas and New Year's Day. For current hours and other information, visit
official Royal Botanical Garden Web site. Text and photos copyright © Anders Imboden. |