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Mermaids of Retiro Park in Madrid

The Buen Retiro Park in the center of Madrid is one of the largest parks in Madrid and belonged to the Spanish Monarchy from about 1505 until the late 19th century when it became a public park.  map

Retiro Park Monument
Retiro Park Monument Photo by Jose Ignacio Soto © 123RF.com

The Great Pond was created in the 1630s along with much of the park layout.

This Monument to King Alfonso XII was designed by architect José Grases Riera in 1902 and was completed and inaugurated on June 6, 1922.

In the center is the bronze equestrian statue of King Alfonso XII, then three statues representing Peace, Freedom and Progress. Below them at the top of the steps are four stone lions, and at the bottom of the steps on the water's edge are four bronze mermaids.

One of the mermaids, by Antonio Alsina y Amils, sits on a turtle, playing music on a lyre.

Mermaid at Monumento a Alfonso XII
Mermaid at Monumento a Alfonso XII. Photo by Luis Garcia.

The next, by Rafael Atché, sits on a large fish while listening to the sound in a conch shell.

Retiro Park Conch mermaid
Retiro Park Conch mermaid. Photo © by Philip Jepsen.

The third mermaid, by Antonio Parera Saurina, appears to be battling a giant lobster while wielding a staff with a spiky conch at one end.

Retiro Park Lobster mermaid
Retiro Park Lobster mermaid. Photo © by Philip Jepsen.

The last of the mermaids, by Antonio Coll y Pi, is relaxing on a fish while brushing her hair out of the way with her right hand.

Retiro Park Fish mermaid
Retiro Park Fish mermaid. Photo © by Philip Jepsen.

The park and especially the pond are extremely popular with locals and tourists, and most days the lake is filled with people in many small boats slowly sailing about.

References:
● The Mermaids of Earth coffee-table book: See page 84 in the book about this sculpture.

Mermaids of Earth coffee-table book

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This site is about mermaids on planet Earth

Why? Because mermaids are all around us. Lots of them. No, not actual live mermaids of course…

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