Introduction to the Royal Botanic Garden: The Royal Botanic Garden in Madrid was built in 1755 by King Ferdinand VI of Spain. When it was established, it had a collection of more than 2,000 species of plants. In 1774, the botanical garden was moved to its current location under the order of King Charles III. By 1794, there were more than 10,000 species of plants. After the botanical garden went through changes, it was closed for repairs in 1974 and reopened to the public in 1981.