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If you have followed my blog, you know my attachment to Madrid, and my history there so do not need to repeat me think. If you have not and new to my blog just go to search type Retiro and/or Madrid and see the many posts on it. From Madrid to heaven and a hole in the sky to look down on it everyday. The focus here is something folks hidden somewhat inside the wonderfully beautiful Parque del Buen Retiro or simply Retiro park in my dear Madrid. The park is very near where I used to lived and walk by it everytime in the city. This is my park, Parque del Buen Retiro I always look forward to be back,eventually, For now let me tell you about the Jardines of Cecilio Rodriguez of the Retiro park of Madrid !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

Next to the old Casa de las Fieras (old zoo) of Retiro within the set of Jardines del Architecto Herrero Palacios (see post) ; the Jardines of Cecilio Rodríguez are preserved. On the rebuilding he change the decoration and laidout of the garden with a rectangular floor flank on three sides by pavilions that are now used for official events. It houses several elements of gardening, fountains, pergolas, basins, ornamental columns, chess floors and sculptures groups from Hispanic Arabesque look.

The Jardines de Cecilio Rodriguez are by Paseo Uruguay in the park.  The gardens were designed by him around 1941. Based to the north entrance we have the figure of an elegant Venus dressed as Roman. She has an exposed shoulder and the indolent look around and a few steps from Venus, inside the small pond, we have the Fuente de las Gaviotas (seagulls). It is a curious sculpture made in 1962 that represents a flock of flying seagulls. It was a gift from the Norwegian embassy to Madrid. There is a bust of Cecilio Rodríguez. It consists of a bust that represents the gardener at an advanced age, on a pedestal where his name and the creation date are read. The monument was inaugurated in 1949.

Cecilio Rodríguez Cuevas was a Spanish gardener, associated with the urbanization of the Retiro Park in Madrid. During the first third of the 20C, he collaborated with Juan Gras in the remodeling of the Parque de La Quinta de la Fuente del Berro, building greenhouses and planting little known species. In 1914 he was appointed senior gardener of Retiro, where he designed the Rosaleda (see post) and, from 1918, the Casa de las Fieras (old zoo see post) . Subsequently, he was appointed director of the Parks and Gardens of the City in 1924,also, he was appointed senior gardener of Madrid with the arrival of the Second Republic (1936-39) he was dismissed by the new elected City Council, being restored in his former position once the Spanish Civil War was over,(1939) from which he directed the restoration of the green areas of Madrid in 1941.

The official Madrid tourist office on the Retiro park:  https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/parque-del-retiro

There you go folks, my park in Madrid. A must to see in Madrid, in fact , you never been to Madrid if not walk the Retiro park… ! Again, hope you enjoy this off the beaten path trip to the Jardines of Cecilio Rodriguez of the Retiro park of Madrid !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health and many cheers to all !!!