Jardines El Retiro

Jardines El Retiro is a historic botanical and ornithological garden located in Churriana, a suburb of Málaga, near Cortijo de Maza-El Olivar. Nearly 350 years old, the estate is one of the oldest and most distinctive garden ensembles in this part of Andalusia.

How did this garden come to be?

The estate's origins go back to 1669, when Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás, a Dominican friar and Bishop of Málaga, founded the property of Santo Tomás del Monte as a place of spiritual retreat. Starting from an old fortified house, he laid out a vegetable garden intended for contemplation. After his death in 1694, the estate passed to the Counts of Villalcázar, who expanded it during the 18th century and turned it into a recreational and aesthetic ensemble, giving it a form much closer to what visitors see today.

What is the layout and style of the gardens?

The grounds are divided into three distinct sections: El Huerto (the former vegetable garden), El Patio, and Jardín del Cortesano (the courtly garden). A defining feature of the design is its blend of several garden traditions at once — French, Italian, English, and Arab — a combination rarely found together in a single estate in the region. From its terraces and pathways, visitors can take in views of the coast, the surrounding mountains, the countryside, and the Málaga skyline.

How large is the garden and what grows there?

The estate covers roughly 140,000 m². It is home to around 30,000 trees and shrubs, including palms, cypresses, magnolias, and fruit trees. The most emblematic piece of flora is El Olmo, an elm tree about 200 years old and the oldest living specimen on the property.

What animals live in the gardens?

Beyond its botanical character, the estate also functions as an ornithological and zoological park. It houses around 6,000 animals from 400 different species — birds, reptiles, mammals, and fish — living across both freshwater and brackish ponds distributed throughout the grounds.

What protected status does the site hold?

In 1984, the Jardín Histórico El Retiro was officially declared a National Historic Monument, confirming its standing as one of the most valuable historic garden ensembles in the province of Málaga.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly are the Jardines El Retiro located? In Churriana, a suburb of Málaga, near Cortijo de Maza-El Olivar.

Who founded the garden? Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás, Bishop of Málaga, in 1669; it was later expanded by the Counts of Villalcázar in the 18th century.

How large is the estate? About 140,000 m², split into three sections: El Huerto, El Patio, and Jardín del Cortesano.

Can visitors see animals in the garden? Yes, around 6,000 animals from 400 species live on the grounds, including birds, reptiles, mammals, and fish.

Is the site legally protected? Yes, it has held National Historic Monument status since 1984.