El Retiro pond prepares for a new emptying after almost 25 years

More than two decades after its last deep clean, El Retiro’s large pond could be emptied again. Madrid City Council has launched the process for its comprehensive refurbishment, with a public contract providing for an investment of 122,677 euros through the Urban Planning, Environment and Mobility Department. The project, still at an early stage, will begin to be drafted from 1 October 2025, with an estimated period of seven months before construction work begins.

The announcement has rekindled collective curiosity about what might be hidden beneath the water. The last time the pond was completely emptied was in 2001, and the result was almost surreal: shopping trolleys, parasols, litter bins, mobile phones, tables, containers and even a vending machine were recovered from the muddy bottom. That intervention made it clear that this emblematic corner of the park not only accumulates history... it also accumulates forgotten objects and unexpected waste. The pond, known for its blue boats and monumental surroundings, is one of the city’s most photographed places and a must-see stop for Madrilenians and tourists. But behind its serene image lies a century-old infrastructure that needs periodic care.

Although there is still no specific date for emptying it, the tender opens the door to a new intervention that will not only improve the condition of the pond, but will also allow a fresh look at its mysterious bottom. What will appear this time? If history is any guide, El Retiro is likely to surprise again.