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The Palacio Real unveils a floral display for León XIV
Madrid is already showcasing one of the most striking images of León XIV's visit. The Palacio Real and the Sabatini Gardens feature giant letters covered in white and yellow flowers, a display designed to welcome the Pope and to transform for a few days some of the city's most photographed spots.
The display is not limited to a single area. The City Council has prepared nearly 100,000 plants and flowers spread across 13 emblematic sites, including plaza de Oriente, Cibeles and the area around San Juan de la Cruz. The idea is that the visit should also be felt in the street, not only at official events.
The letters bearing the name León XIV combine flowers, decorative structures and vinyls with plant motifs. Some are arranged vertically, visible to people walking through the area, while others have been designed to be seen better from elevated points or from the air.
For those passing through the city centre in the coming days, the change will be evident. The area around Palacio Real, already heavily visited by tourists and residents, has an additional visual attraction that will probably draw photos, impromptu stops and more movement at the Sabatini and plaza de Oriente entrances.
The installation has been prepared with very little lead time. Confirmation of the visit required suppliers, production and placement to be coordinated in record time. Some of the pieces use preserved flowers treated with glycerine, a solution intended to withstand the heat better and reduce daily maintenance.
Even so, the installations will need monitoring. Constant contact from the public, close-up photos and the expected crowds may accelerate wear on some structures. For now, the plan is to keep them in place as long as they remain in good condition.
The City Council does not rule out some pieces remaining for longer or being given to other institutions, such as the Nunciature. That will depend on the condition of the installation and the interest they arouse once the papal visit has ended.
For Madrid, these floral letters serve as more than a temporary decoration. For a few days they change the way people look at heavily used areas of the city centre and make a walk around Palacio Real or Sabatini part of the visit itself, even for those not taking part in any religious event.