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Jardines de Sabatini

The Jardines de Sabatini (Gardens of Sabatini) are located within the grounds of Madrid’s royal palace, the Palacio Real de Madrid, and makes for a tranquil escape from the hordes of tourist that visit the palace. The Jardines de Sabatini are immaculately maintained and are based upon the once popular French landscape design which is heavily influenced by symmetry and order. The pine and cypress trees of the gardens provide welcome shade form the intense summer sun and it is not uncommon to also find Madrid’s citizens reading within the quiet secluded gardens.

The quiet secluded atmosphere of the Jardines de Sabatini is in part due to the lowered elevation of the gardens when compared to the main square, Plaza Orient. The Jardines de Sabatini are connected to Plaza Orient by a grand stone staircase, an appropriate entrance to the royal gardens. As the Jardines de Sabatini are set into the side of the hill, the Palacio Real de Madrid appears significantly more majestically than when viewed at the front.

The Jardines de Sabatini were not constructed at the same time as the palace and are from a much later era. Original the Palacio Real de Madrid’s stables were situated in the area of the park but during the Franco dictatorship the stables were torn down and the grounds were “to be given back to the people” as a sign of the change of wealth from royalty to the common person. The initial work of the gardens was started in 1933 but the park was not opened to the public until 1978. Ironically it was King Carlos I who officially opened the park to the public.

The Jardines de Sabatini gardens are named after the Italian architect Francesco Sabatini who during the 18th century designed much of the Palacio Real de Madrid, this included royal stables which were demolished to create the gardens named after him.

The architect selected to design the Jardines de Sabatini in 1933 was Fernando Mercandal who was only awarded the project after winning a competition of different designs. This was populous idea by Franco to vindicate the destruction he inflicted upon Madrid during his power struggle.

The statues which are found within the gardens were never intended to be either placed in the gardens or to be viewed closely. The statues of the gothic Spanish kings were planned for the roof of the palace but were deemed to heavy so were never installed and placed within the gardens.

The Jardines de Sabatini are highly recommended while visiting the Plaza Orient and the Palacio Real de Madrid as the gardens are immaculately maintained and provides a pleasant break from the tourist crowds. The gardens are a must for keen photographers as some of the best views of the palace are from the Jardines de Sabatini.