Palacio de Velázquez

The palace was largely demolished after the Peninsular War, with only Casón del Buen Retiro (a ballroom) and Salón de Reinos (used as a throne room) still existing, and the park has been open to public since 1868.

[1] It was built between 1881 and 1883, for the National Exhibition to display the achievements in the field of mining, metallurgy, ceramics, glass-making and mineral water industries.

[8] In terms of its original function, it is comparable to the greenhouses of Kew Gardens, but it is usually described as being influenced by another of London's buildings, The Crystal Palace built for the Great Exhibition of 1851.

The Crystal Palace also influenced the Palacio de Velázquez, particularly in its use of iron and glass to allow natural light to brighten the rooms.

[10] The works of contemporary painters are often exhibited at the Palacio;[11] since 1987, artists such as Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin, Juan Muñoz and José Manuel Broto have showcased here.