Aranjuez - Gardens

On the south side of the Plaza de San Rusiñol is the Jardín de Isabel II, a favorite resort of the Bourbon queen of that name.

The Jardín de la Isla, on an artificial island in the Tagus, is the oldest of the islands of Aranjuez. Isabella the Catholic caused a huerta to be converted into a garden, which was extended in the reign of Philip II. A beautiful avenue of plane-trees runs along the banks of the Tagus.

On the east side of the Royal Palace is the Parterre, a garden in the French style laid out by Philip V in 1726. In the Parterre is the Jardín de las Estatuas, which dates from the reign of Philip II, with busts of Roman Emperors and statues of gods and heroes.