El Retiro Park

The Buen Retiro Park, or simply El Retiro, is one of the largest parks in Madrid, Spain. The park is located to the north from the center of Madrid and stretches from Paseo del Prado to Plaza de las Cortes (the main square of Spain's National Congress).  Created in the late sixteenth century by Phillip II, it owes its name ("good retreat") to its character as a place for rest and reflection. On its grounds are gardens, statues and other monuments, galleries, an artificial lake and venues which host a variety of events.