The Merced Garden is a grand balcony overlooking the Tormes River. One of the pleasures of visiting this garden is approaching it. If we come from Elio Antonio Nebrija Square, we can not only admire its intricate sculpture by Pablo Serrano but also stroll under the shaded pergolas that extend along the street. Wisterias climb and cover the trellises, and during their blooming season, their purple hues invite visitors to sit on the granite benches and watch the comings and goings of pollinating insects.

To enter the garden, we pass through a group of yews, geometrically arranged around two fountains. From the very beginning, the water greets us with its pleasant, inviting sound. The trees are pruned into conical shapes, creating harmony with the overall space. The gaps between the greenery allow us to choose which view we wish to carry in our memory or capture with a camera. From certain angles, it resembles a large chessboard where the pawns have become the beautiful yews. Completing the analogy, the noble pieces—bishops, rooks, kings, and queens—are represented by the taller trees within the enclosures.

Once through the gate, we find ourselves immersed in the shade of a cypress-lined avenue. Tall and majestic, the trees seem to watch us from above as guardians of the garden. At the center stands another fountain, surrounded by a cluster of cedars. Here, the neighborhood sparrows pause and rest, their nests hidden among the dense cypress branches. During mating season, their songs fill the trees, turning them into melodic beings.

We continue along the pathway until reaching the river viewpoint. In contrast, this platform is all light: open sky above the Tormes River, with a vast forest stretching beyond the rooftops near the walls. Ash, poplar, willow, and poplar trees create a rich variety of greens along the riverbank. From here, we can observe a diverse riverside fauna. The white egrets contrast with the black plumage of the cormorants. The gray herons alternate with the metallic colors of the mallard groups. At sunset, flocks of jackdaws fill the air with their caws, wandering back and forth until finally settling and welcoming the night.

It is highly recommended to exit toward the river via the descent of San Juan de Alcázar Street, which will bring you to the foot of the Roman Bridge in just a few minutes.