The gardens of the Buen Retiro were the ultimate 'green' expression of the grandeur of the court of Felipe IV. With its artificial lake, the palaces and boulevards, today it is not only an important green lung of the capital, but also a great cultural showcase with corners full of charm. The lake, presided over by the spectacular equestrian statue of Alfonso XII, the Velazquez Palace, built in the nineteenth century by Isabel II, and the vast greenhouse known as the Crystal Palace are among the highlights of this romantic park that displays its full range of seductive skills best in spring and autumn.