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All Spain Madrid Fisherman's House

Fisherman's House

Once a resting spot for King Fernando VII.

Madrid, Spain

Added By
Javier Pascual Aguilar
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Fisherman’s House   Felipe Gabaldón, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Fisherman’s House   Felipe Gabaldón, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Autumn view   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Fisherman’s House from the other side of the fence   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
Detail   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
The Fisherman’s little house   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Fisherman’s House   Miguel GR from Spain, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
  Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
Fisherman’s House   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Fisherman's House ("La Casita del Pescador" in Spanish) is a small "capricho" construction in the northern part of Retiro Park in Madrid. It was conceived as a personal whim of the king who saved Retiro Park. The house was destined to offer his majesty a place to rest and is located on the central island of a pond where, back in the day, you could even fish.

After the War of Independence, the park was badly damaged and was rebuilt by King Fernando VII. During this Renaissance, exotic and beautiful constructions such as the Persian Hall and Fisherman's House were created. Isidro González Velázquez designed this house and surrounded it with a pond for anglers to enjoy. The house has a striking pinkish body, adorned with Pompeian-style paintings and frescoes and with niches, where Roman busts once stood.

This type of construction had its predecessors in the so-called 18th-century pavilions that were prominent in English and French gardens. In Spain, these curious structures appeared in important gardens at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century.

For years, the Fisherman's House remained abandoned and was eventually used as a Tourist Information Office. It is now the Municipal Center for the Adoption of Pets.

Related Tags

Architecture History & Culture Fishing

Know Before You Go

Fisherman's House is located in Retiro Park, near the confluence of Menéndez Pelayo Avenue and O'Donnell Street very close to the Artificial Mountain and to the Ermita de San Pelayo y San Isidoro (Hermitage of Saint Pelagius and Saint Isidore). The nearest metro stations are Retiro, Principe de Vergara and Ibiza.

Community Contributors

Added By

Xavixavir

Edited By

linkogecko, Luis Morato

  • linkogecko
  • Luis Morato

Published

June 23, 2023

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Fisherman's House
28 P.º de Fernán Núñez
Retiro Park
Madrid, 28009
Spain
40.420581, -3.680964
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Nearby Places

Ermita de San Pelayo y San Isidoro (Hermitage of Saint Pelagius and Saint Isidore)

Madrid, Spain

miles away

House of Beasts of Retiro Park

Madrid, Spain

miles away

Kiosko de Horchata Miguel y José

Madrid, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Madrid

Madrid

Spain

Places 117
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Ermita de San Pelayo y San Isidoro (Hermitage of Saint Pelagius and Saint Isidore)

Madrid, Spain

miles away

House of Beasts of Retiro Park

Madrid, Spain

miles away

Kiosko de Horchata Miguel y José

Madrid, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Madrid

Madrid

Spain

Places 117
Stories 2

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