The largest and most beautiful of all Madrid's parks
is the Retiro. It has 130
hectares of woodland which form a green, tree-clad (more than 15.000 trees)
island in the middle of an asphalt sea.  One may enter it through any of the
fine gateways. These are located in the Plaza de la Independencia, the Calle
de Alcala, the Calle de O'Donnell, and the Calle de Alfonso XII. White
stone figures of the Kings and Queen of Spain peep out from the avenues of
lofty tees and thick bushes, and just inside the park there is a large artificial
lake where row-boats can be hired. The park also has its rose garden, as well
as the Cecilio Rodriguez gardens and many delightful secluded nooks
where strollers can enjoy a little privacy. In the middle of the park there
are two buildings known as the Palacio de Velazquez and Palacio de
Cristal, where art exhibitions are sometimes held.
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