Monument to Alfonso XII

Located at the lake in El Retiro Park, one of the most visited places in the green space, this sculpture-cum-landmark pays tribute to King Alfonso XII. Inaugurated in 1922 by his son, Alfonso XIII, the monument is inspired by those designed by Victor Manuel II in Rome and William I in Berlin.

Created by the Catalan architect, José Grases Riera, the piece consists of a semicircle with a dual Ionic colonnade, on whose frieze the coats of arms of the different Spanish provinces of the period are sculpted, along with scenes that are reminiscent of typical professions of the region. In the centre, there is a tower on which the equestrian statue of the monarch rises. At his feet, there are steps to the shore of the lake.

The equestrian figure that rises up more than 20 metres high was created by the sculptor, Mariano Benlliure, author of great works such as the statue of Goya, alongside the Prado Museum, or some of the pieces that decorate the façade of the Metropolis Building on Gran Vía avenue. The column on which it's sustained has a viewpoint from which the stately Barrio de Salamanca neighbourhood, the Barrio de Letras (Literary Quarter) and iconic buildings along Gran Vía can be contemplated.

The General Direction Of Intervention In The Urban landscape and cultural heritage of Madrid City Council offers free guided tours to the viewpoint via its official reservation website, https://reservaspatrimonio.es/, at different times of the year.