Madrid Botanical Garden (Real Jardin Botanico)

Situated on the banks of the River Manzanares, the garden began as the King's (Fernando VI) botanical collection in the eighteenth century, when botany was a royal hobby. The plant collection began with a collection of 10,000 plants brought to Spain by Alessandro Malaspine in 1794. A central axis leads from the king's gate to Villaneueva's pavilion. There are three terraces, stepping towards the river from the pavilion. The upper terrace, added in 1859 has a typical nineteenth century character. The lower terraces resemble parterres but are planted with a wide range of plants. In 1981, it was re-opened with its role more as a public garden than a scientific collection. An entrance charge is still levied, which gives the garden a higher standard of maintenance, a greater degree of care and more seclusion than might otherwise be possible.