The “Palacio de Velázquez” in the “Retiro” Park in Madrid, is rectangular and has the main facade oriented to what is known as “noon”. 
This refers to the old method to determine the east – west orientation by measuring the least amount of shadow visible at midday.
It was in 1883 that the Ministry of Development commissioned the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco to organize the “National Exhibition of Mining, Metallurgical Arts, Ceramics, Glassware and Mineral Waters”. Hence, it is known as the “Palacio de Velázquez”.
It is built was three quadrangular bodies joined by a gallery. The central body is constituted as a point of entrance preceded by a great marble staircase between sphinxes. It is covered by a large zinc and glass cannon vault.