Attractions & Activities
- Malaga - El Retiro
Malaga El Retiro
Subtropical Gardens (Málaga)
Founded by Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás, Bishop of Málaga
from 1664 to 1692, on a piece of land near Churriana, and
from where there is a beautiful view over the whole fertile
plains of the Guadalhorce river, is undoubtedly, the most
important work of José Martín de Aldehuela.
After the death of the Bishop, the property of the gardens
were transferred to the counts of Villacazar, who, through
different and continuous enlargements made of it the most
important private garden in Spain.
It has three different parts and styles; the gardens, the
orchard, the patio and the courtyard.
The orchard garden is the only remain of the XVII century.
It consist of a parade forming a cross surrounded by fruit
trees, in the middle of the cross there is a fountain decorated
with Sevillian tiles and known as "Fuente de la Batalla"
The patio garden is adjacent to the building and it is formed
by a large rectangular surface on one only level and totally
paved with red earthenware tiles (nazaries). In the middle
of it, the fountain of "La Sirena", made of Italian
marble and worked in Italy, and which motif is a triton embracing
a mermaid.
The courtyard is organised at the Italian style, in different
levels. It has three full-size figures, two of them representing
the rivers or streams and from the pitchers they hold pours
out the water from the upper pond. The third figure is a shepherd
playing his flute and escorted by his dog. The three figures
were carved by the malaguenian sculptor, Juan Chaez. Many
trees and tropical plants completed this garden.
At the moment, besides the botanical richness of the garden,
a fabulous collection of all kind of birds have been added,
making the Park not only a botanical curiosity, but ornithological
as well.
Address:
Carretera de Coín, s/n
29140 Churriana (Málaga)
Telephone: 952 62 16 00
Bus: Portillo to Alhaurín de la Torre
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