Hotel Europa

4 famosos lugares de Madrid que un día tuvieron usos insólitos

By | 16 August, 2017 | 0 comments

Teatro Real Madrid

Today we would like to tell you four truly surprising anecdotes related to some of Madrid’s most emblematic locations. Well known places such as the Teatro Real theater and the Plaza de las Ventas bullring have not always been used for the same purposes as they are today.

1) THE POND IN RETIRO PARK

Originally, the pond in Retiro Park was created as an enormous stage to represent mock sea battles and other aquatic shows to entertain King Philip IV and his family.

There are records and prints from the 17th century which show that various naval battles were held with model naval ships and simulated weapons.

2) THE PALACIO DE CRISTAL

This metal and glass building located in the gardens of Madrid’s Retiro Park was built in 1887 by Velázquez Bosco for the Philippine Island Exhibit held that same year.
The structure, inspired by the Crystal Palace of Paxton which you can visit in London, was originally used as a greenhouse for exhibiting plants.

3) THE TEATRO REAL

During the Spanish Civil War, many public buildings were neglected by the authorities. This was the case of the Teatro Real which was used as an ammunition depot by the Spanish Republican Army during the war years. Where today there are 1,700 seats, at the time, there were cannons, rifles and all kinds of weapons.

4) PLAZA DE LAS VENTAS BULLRING

We’ve saved what is perhaps the oddest for last: also during the Spanish Civil War, the Plaza de las Ventas bullring was used as an urban garden for 34 months. Potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and other produce grew freely in the arena where bullfights are held today.

Image (CC) Carlos Delgado

Categories: Guías Madrid

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