Palacio de Cristal, Parque Retiro, Madrid
The Crystal Palace edifice isn’t rare like a diamond, but there are not so many of them around. Certainly, I’ve only ever seen pictures of the London Crystal Palace which was destroyed by fire, and upon which the Madrid one is modelled. It was originally built as a greenhouse – and it reminds me of the Kew Garden greenhouses – but these days it is used for art exhibitions.
I shouldn’t have been surprised, but it was very hot inside when I went to have a look at what seemed a disparate set of exhibits, including a swinging pendulum that looked like an upside-down Empire State Building, a model ship hoisted at an angle and various retro electronics. The greenhouse wasn’t much respite from the heat outside, but it was a beautiful building to admire. I lingered to take some photographs indoors and had to be patient for what I thought was the right grouping and movement of people, with the right space between them. Such is the character of street photography that you can’t direct people around as you would like !
~ Spotted Cow
Wandering Cows 
This building reminds me so much of the Botanique in Brussels. Wish I had a picture to share so you could see!
I looked it up on the web and I see what you mean!
A glorious structure beautifully captured WC
It is absolutely glorious. You’re right.
The view from inside the building is spectacular with all the details in the architecture, the light coming in and the green surroundings. Looks like a place you could just sit down and enjoy all the details.
Yes it was lovely to observe all the details and enjoy them. It did trap the heat somewhat though, and I couldn’t stay inside for too long.
There is something special inside this building – the set of lights coming through the glass roofs, I suppose. Walking along must be a nice feeling.
It’s really lovely walking in the green of the park, and then suddenly coming upon a glass building on a lake.
Beautiful photos and amazing building, Spotted! They certainly did things differently back then. You expect Cinderella to turn up any minute! 😄
I know, absolutely !
Lovely post in response to WPC -Rare!
Thank you, and thanks for dropping by.
🙂
Beautiful building – and interesting pendulum!
Yes indeed. It made me think of that saying “people who live in glass houses …” which prompted the additional thought of whether one can really live in a glass house.
I haven’t seen houses made entirely of glass, but I’ve got one wall that’s pretty much entirely a glass sliding door so I suppose that counts!
A beautiful building. Yes, it would be very hot in there. I imagine. 🙂 That’s a very strange pendulum.
I probably missed the plaque that talked about the pendulum’s artistic significance. It felt heavy in such a delicate building.