In the heart of Madrid, in an intersection facing the west facade of the El Casón del Buen Retiro (one of the Spanish national art museum buildings), stands the monument to Maria Christina of Bourbon. Maria Christina of Bourbon, also known as Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies (1806-1878), was the daughter of King Francis I of the Two Sicilies and became the Queen of Spain in 1829 upon her marriage as the fourth wife to King Ferdinand VII of Spain. When the king died in 1833, she became regent for their daughter Isabella who became Queen Isabella II in 1844. The monument consists of a larger-than-life bronze statue of Maria Christina standing atop a polygonal stone pedestal. Her right-hand holds the Royal Statute, which made her regent for her daughter Isabella till she was of age to become the queen, while her left holds her mantle. It was designed by the architect Miguel Aguado and the sculptor Mariano Benlliure and was dedicated on June 25th, 1893. On the basement of the statue, inscribed are some of her achievements: “Conservatorio de Música” (Conservatory of Music), “Decreto de Amnistía” (Amnesty Decree), “Ministerio de Fomento” (Ministry of Development); “Estatuto de 1834” (Statute of 1834); “Ciencias, Artes y Oficios” (Sciences, Arts and Crafts), “Convención de Vergara” (Convention of Vergara), “Universidades del Reyno” (Universities of the Kingdom), as well as a marble sited statue of a female figure which represents an allegory of History, holding a book that reads “Historia” (History). Nearby is the famous Museo del Prado. Admission is free two hours before closing. Read more...