Paseo de las Estatuas (Walkway of the Statues), Madrid
Despite being officially named Paseo de la Argentina (Argentina Promenade), this section of Retiro Park is commonly known as the Walkway of the Statues. Located between the Gate of Spain ("Puerta de Espa帽a") and the Large Pond ("Estanque Grande"), it is adorned with 14 sculptures from a series of 114 originally designed by Benedictine friar Mart铆n Sarmiento in 1743. These exquisite artworks were carved by sculptors Juan Domingo Olivieri and Felipe de Castro between 1743-48 and were originally intended for the cornice of the Royal Palace, but fate had different plans for them.
Legend has it that Queen Isabel de Farnesio, the consort and second wife of Felipe V, suffered from nightmares in which the statues would collapse from the palace cornice. As a result, they were dispersed throughout various parts of the city, including the Oriente Square, the Toledo Bridge roundabout, and the Army Museum. Eventually, during the reign of Carlos III, they found themselves in the basement of the palace, as they did not conform to the prevailing aesthetic criteria of the time when Madrid was reevaluating its urban planning. Francisco Sabatini was entrusted with their dismantling and storage.
Around a century later, during the reign of Isabel II in 1842, the statues were restored and reintegrated into various locations, such as Oriente Square, Retiro Park, as well as Aranjuez, Toledo, Burgos, Logro帽o, and Vitoria. In 1847, thirteen statues of Spanish monarchs were added, spanning from the Middle Ages to the modern era: Fernando IV, Enrique II, Garc铆a I, Urraca I, Berenguela I, Sancho IV, Alfonso I of Aragon, Suintila, Ram贸n Berenguer IV, Carlos I, Carlos II, and Gundemaro. The odd number of statues posed a challenge to symmetry.
To address this issue, during the area's reorganization in 1989, an empty pedestal was installed, likely intended for the statue of Alfonso VII, achieving the desired symmetry. Over three decades later, in 2021, the vacant pedestal near the pond was occupied by Queen Juana I of Castile, a tragic figure in Spanish history, known for her mental instability and the complex political struggles surrounding her reign. Her life has been the subject of numerous literary and artistic works, portraying her as a tragic and misunderstood queen.
Legend has it that Queen Isabel de Farnesio, the consort and second wife of Felipe V, suffered from nightmares in which the statues would collapse from the palace cornice. As a result, they were dispersed throughout various parts of the city, including the Oriente Square, the Toledo Bridge roundabout, and the Army Museum. Eventually, during the reign of Carlos III, they found themselves in the basement of the palace, as they did not conform to the prevailing aesthetic criteria of the time when Madrid was reevaluating its urban planning. Francisco Sabatini was entrusted with their dismantling and storage.
Around a century later, during the reign of Isabel II in 1842, the statues were restored and reintegrated into various locations, such as Oriente Square, Retiro Park, as well as Aranjuez, Toledo, Burgos, Logro帽o, and Vitoria. In 1847, thirteen statues of Spanish monarchs were added, spanning from the Middle Ages to the modern era: Fernando IV, Enrique II, Garc铆a I, Urraca I, Berenguela I, Sancho IV, Alfonso I of Aragon, Suintila, Ram贸n Berenguer IV, Carlos I, Carlos II, and Gundemaro. The odd number of statues posed a challenge to symmetry.
To address this issue, during the area's reorganization in 1989, an empty pedestal was installed, likely intended for the statue of Alfonso VII, achieving the desired symmetry. Over three decades later, in 2021, the vacant pedestal near the pond was occupied by Queen Juana I of Castile, a tragic figure in Spanish history, known for her mental instability and the complex political struggles surrounding her reign. Her life has been the subject of numerous literary and artistic works, portraying her as a tragic and misunderstood queen.
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Paseo de las Estatuas (Walkway of the Statues) on Map
Sight Name: Paseo de las Estatuas (Walkway of the Statues)
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Madrid, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Madrid
Creating your own self-guided walk in Madrid is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Spain is internationally reputed as a major gastronomic power and its capital city Madrid attests to this claim, being home to vibrant food markets and multiple establishments serving traditional Spanish food in a soul-warming atmosphere.
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
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Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
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One of the prominent local landmarks is Columbus Square... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Buen Retiro Park Walking Tour
Buen Retiro Park, which translates to "Park of the Pleasant Retreat", is one of the main attractions in Madrid. Similarly to Central Park of New York City or Hyde Park of London, this former royal retreat is the most popular public outdoor space in the Spanish capital.
A green oasis in the heart of the city, the park has long been a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to go for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
A green oasis in the heart of the city, the park has long been a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to go for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Miguel de Cervantes' Madrid Walking Tour
The name of the iconic Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes is closely associated with Madrid. The author is known for a number of works, but his 1605 novel Don Quixote de la Mancha is often held as the first modern novel.
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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Souvenirs Shopping Tour
Shopping for souvenirs in Madrid is an exciting and delightful experience for anyone visiting the vibrant Spanish capital. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Madrid without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of must-visit locations where you can find souvenirs, which are unique to Madrid and make for... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Madrid Introduction Walking Tour
A city of elegant boulevards, beautiful squares, and manicured parks, the Spanish capital is renowned for its rich repositories of European art, portico-lined Plaza Mayor, baroque style Royal Palace and many other cultural and historical monuments.
Although the site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times, the first historical document about an established settlement here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Although the site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times, the first historical document about an established settlement here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
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