UNESCO grants world heritage status to Madrid’s Paseo del Prado and Retiro Park

MADRID — UNESCO added Madrid's historic Paseo del Prado boulevard and Retiro Park to its list of world heritage sites on Sunday.

The tree-lined Paseo del Prado, in the center of the Spanish capital, is home to the Prado museum, while Retiro Park, just off the Paseo del Prado, is one of the city's most visited attractions.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was quick to celebrate the news, tweeting "Deserved recognition for a space in the capital that enhances our historic, artistic and cultural legacy."

People swim in rowboats on a lake at El Retiro Park in Madrid on the day that UNESCO added it and the historic Paseo del Prado boulevard to its list of world heritage sites, in Madrid, Spain, July 25, 2021. REUTERS/ Juan Medina

El Retiro ("The Retreat"), an urban green space with a boating lake enjoyed by both locals and tourists, was originally a palace and gardens built for the personal use of King Felipe IV in the 17th Century.

"Proud of our city, and happy for Spain and the legacy of its capital," tweeted Madrid mayor, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida. — Reuters