Today I would like to present to you a unique building, which marked a milestone in its time and which stands out, mainly, for the spectacular display of charm and fantasy, which make it one of the most outstanding and, in fact, most visited places in Madrid: the Crystal Palace.
Considered the first iron and glass building to be built in Spain, outside the purely industrial field, the Crystal Palace, in addition to having a curious and ancient history, occupies one of the most beautiful corners of that immeasurable lung, which is the Retirement Park.
In fact, the design of the small lake and the small grotto that surround it were also designed by the architect in charge of the project at the request of the Ministry of Public Works: Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.
This happened in 1887, on the occasion of the celebration of the General Exhibition of the Philippines and despite its curious design, which we will discuss later, it was originally conceived as a greenhouse.
Its design confirms that taste that during the 19th century and well into the 20th century looked towards other previous architectural styles, especially Romanesque and Gothic, defended and at the same time popularized by architects of certain fame and renown, as would be the case. from the French architect and restorer of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, Viollet le Duc.
So, it should not be surprising that within its stylized fantasy, its original plant had the shape of a Greek cross, that is, a cross with equal arms, a model that used to be characteristic of many Gothic churches, but in this case Possibly to add a touch of classical originality to the design, one of these arms was replaced by the incorporation of a portal, clearly classicist, in which its monumental eight Solomonic columns stand out, imitating the old style known as Ionic.
Other noteworthy elements and at the same time of meritorious value, is the use, outside, of a beautiful ceramic frieze, the work of the renowned painter and ceramist Daniel Zuloaga, whose extraordinary works and innovations in the field of traditional ceramic art were certainly praised in their day and highly valued today.
Another of the characteristics of this building, whose measurements are 54 meters long by 28 meters wide and a dome that reaches 22.60 meters in height and stands out from the rest of the roofs –which in a certain way also recalls the primitive design of the Visigothic basilicas - is that it was erected in the record time of five months.
Entering its interior is like entering a vast universe, where space and light offer the sensation of infinite placidity, as it should be, putting us in a comparative plan, the modern futuristic designs for space stations and even for the colonization of planets like Mars, offering a perspective not only of the surrounding environment, but also of the sky, really worth taking into account.
For years, it has depended on the Queen Sofía National Art Museum and therefore, its use derives instead of exhibitions of Contemporary Art, being at present, the place where the work of the Catalan artist, Pep Agut, entitled Madrid’s Meridian: dream and lie ', which basically deals with themes such as representation, language and architecture and is made up of the succession of columns, both whole and fragmented, that can be seen inside.
Related Movie:
NOTICE: Both the text and the photographs that accompany it, as well as the video that illustrates it, are my absolute intellectual property and therefore are subject to my Copyright.
Architecture design, some like this one never appears to age. Transformed in a beauty that hold true to itself forever. Brilliant photography and presentation on this classical building.
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 36/48) Liquid rewards.
Thanks
Completely agree with you. In fact, I believe that buildings like this have served as precedents for other architectures and utilities, laying the foundations, for example, for the creation of those first fairgrounds, although more sober, in terms of their design and fantasy. Thank you very much for your kind comment and a warm greeting from Madrid.
Ideas derived from old design I must say has carried through the ages, many build homes today leveraging the use of sunlight in many ways.
These fanciful creations are majestic to see no matter what purpose they are used for, thanks for sharing, once again incredible photography capturing the big glass house.
Your comment is very true and truthful
Wow! I love how you discussed the design in a personal perspective and I enjoy reading it. The design merges a lot of design concept - Romanesque, Gothic and Classical architecture. By the way, you captured good photos.
This building, it could be said that it broke molds, since it combined futuristic elements with styles from the past, possibly because at the time it was built, architects, who knows if following a fashion, looked precisely at those types of styles and in fact, We have numerous temples that gave rise to concepts such as Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Gothic. Some, like the great Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí i Cornet, even went much further in their fantasies, thinking that precisely the Gothic style was an unfinished style and many of his designs tried to alleviate those deficiencies. Thank you very much for your kind comment and kind regards.
Hello @ juancar347 I greet you from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. I loved the work featured in this post. Truly beautiful. Thank you for taking us on this virtual journey to that wonderful place, where in addition to the beauty and the different styles, you show art in the dimensions of iron and glass, as well as the harmony with nature that fuses the hand of the Creator with that of beings. humans. Also excellent are your photographs and your way of narrating, I congratulate you. Receive a strong hug full of positive energy and lots of light.
Dear friend @ marcosmilano71: for me it is a pleasure if my work can serve as a positive transmission of ideas, places and designs that help us to know, understand and possibly value the environment that surrounds us more, so that I am the one who is grateful for your kind comment. As you know, unfortunately, in the world we live in, it is not always possible to coordinate factors so essential for life and spirit, such as beauty, art, design, architecture and of course, the environment. So when we are faced with such an essential combination, I think that all of us, deep down, feel lucky. Thank you very much for valuing my work and receive a warm greeting from Madrid.
Estimado amigo @marcosmilano71: para mí es un placer si mi trabajo puede servir como una transmisión positiva de ideas, lugares y diseños que nos ayuden a conocer, entender y posiblemente a valorar más el entorno que nos rodea, de manera que soy yo quien te está agradecido por tu amable comentario. Como sabes, por desgracia, en el mundo en el que vivimos no siempre es posible coordinar factores tan esenciales para la vida y el espíritu, como son la belleza, el arte, el diseño, la arquitectura y por supuesto, el entorno. De manera, que cuando nos hallamos frente a una combinación tan esencial, creo que todos, en el fondo, nos sentimos afortunados. Muchas gracias por valorar mi trabajo y recibe un afectuoso saludo desde Madrid.
El trinar de las aves es muy relajante. Gracias por compartir también el vídeo. Un abrazo fraterno para ti y nuevamente Felicitaciones.
The Crystal Palace, to me, is like a shining jewel that's left to glitter under the summer sky. Did you know that I used to read about this admirable building in books during my college days? However, I'm glad that today I was able to experience this iconic marvel from your very own perspective - you, being one of the best authors in our community. It felt like I was there in person to witness all the spectacular little details that sum up the magnificent grandeur of that site. Likewise, while watching your video, I couldn't help but fall in love with the chirping sounds of the birds within its well-illuminated and spacious interior. Thank you so much @juancar347 for the amazing tour of this architectural heritage of iron and glass from Madrid!
Dear @storiesoferne, first of all, let me tell you that I am flattered by such a kind comment towards me and my work. But it surprises me and at the same time fills me with emotion to know that one of our most emblematic buildings is known worldwide and even studied in the schools and universities in charge of training future architects. It is a building that lends itself to multiple interpretations, to multiple points of view, whose vision never leaves you indifferent. I have hundreds of photographs of him (the ones in this post, as well as the videos, are brand new, as I did them yesterday) and honestly, it never ceases to amaze me. A curious detail is that inside, I suppose it will be due to the immanent properties of the glass, the chirps of the multitude of families of birds that swarm through the surrounding forest, are amplified until they form, as you can hear in the video, a Spectacular symphony, whose sound is even much clearer, incredible as it may seem, than outside. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to contribute, as far as possible, to give you a slightly more vital idea of him. Thanking you again for your attention, I send you an affectionate greeting.
This building is gorgeous, I didn't even know it existed. Thank you for this post
It certainly is. Thank you very much for your kind comment.
It is very pleasant to look at it, but it is very difficult to imagine the work of the glaziers who brought this project to life. Thank you!
That would be another world apart. Keep in mind that in the 19th century, at the time this building was erected, the so-called trades were still highly recognized; In other words, the artisan and the glassmakers were excellent artisans, whose tradition came from afar. If this may sound grand, imagine the medieval glassmakers who made the extraordinary windows in cathedrals, like the one in León. This cathedral still has many windows, the properties of whose glass, special to refract light and achieve a certain lighting, I can assure you that it has not yet been surpassed by modern techniques, incredible as this statement may seem. In short: that is why it has always been said that craftsmanship is the closest thing to a work of art. Best regards
This is the first time that I saw images of a full glass structure, it is indeed unique.
I imagine there will be more similar models around the world, but what I do know is that in its time and here in Spain, it was a unique piece, at least outside the purely industrial architectural fields. Best regards
Mi hermano, iba a decir algunas cosas, pero cometí el error de leer los comentarios que te hicieron, y mejor hice mutis por el foro, !que nivel!.
Gracias por traernos tus trabajos, peregrino.
Ja, ja, ja....bueno, no es para tanto, mi pana. Lo importante siempre es dejarse llevar por las impresiones y recuerda que todas las opiniones son respetables y más en tu caso, que sabes perfectamente que siempre eres bien recibido en éste, mi pequeño mundo. Un abrazo
Wow! That a beautiful crystal palace with a historic mark of being the first one in Spain. I adored the photography. Keep sharing such great architectural experiences.
The first of its kind and in its time, when this type of architecture and materials were more focused on the industrial field than on purely civil architecture. Thank you very much for your kind comment.
Architectural wonder 💕
Thank-you very much, friend
Well done @juancar347! We're happy to inform you that this publication was specially curated and awarded the GOLD MARK in Architecture Brew #28. Congratulations!
Subscribe to Architecture+Design, an OCD incubated community.
Have a good day, my friend