Casita del Pescador (Fisherman's House), Madrid

As you wander through the leafy paths of Retiro Park, surrounded by peaceful greenery, something a bit unexpected catches your eye. It’s small, colorful, and somewhat out of place—in the best possible way. You glance again, just to be sure, and there it is: the Fisherman’s House—a charming little surprise in the middle of the park.

It turns out this quirky spot has a story. Tucked away in the park’s northeast corner, not far from the Artificial Mountain, the Fisherman’s House dates back to the early 1800s. After the devastation of the War of Independence, King Ferdinand VII took on the task of rebuilding Retiro Park. As part of that revival, he added a few whimsical structures—like the Persian Salon, and this small lakeside cottage. Back then, they were known as "caprices"—playful, decorative buildings that added a bit of fantasy to royal life.

Surrounded by a small pond, the Fisherman’s House was once a royal hideaway. The king and his family would come here to relax and fish, far from the formality of court life. Picture it—royalty, sitting on little stools, casting lines into the pond. Yes, that really happened.

The house itself is undeniably charming, with its pinkish walls, Pompeian-style frescoes, and just the right amount of kitsch. The niches that once held Roman busts now stand empty, but the spirit of the place is still very much alive. After years of sitting quietly, it had a second life as a tourist information center. And now, it’s stepping into a new role—as the home of Madrid’s Municipal Pet Adoption Center. A fitting next chapter for a spot that's always offered a little bit of joy.