El Capricho and other green spaces for relaxing in Madrid

When it’s hot in Madrid, the many green areas in the Spanish capital become even more relevant. However, if you’ve already been rowing in El Retiro, there are other interesting options out there for you. Most parks in Madrid are the work of aristocracy and royalty who, with the passing of time, donated or sold them for public use. If El Retiro was born in the Seventeenth century by order of King Philip IV, at the end of the Eighteenth century the Duchess of Osuna didn’t want to fall behind and ordered the construction of a park inspired by English, French and Italian designs. Also, it was to have considerable romantic components in the shape of labyrinths and imaginative buildings. The ambition and complexity of Parque de El Capricho, in Alameda de Osuna, is obvious thanks to the fact that its construction lasted for 50 years until its opening in 1839. Today, you can be an aristocrat for the day and walk around its green paths, enjoying the view of the pond and the canals where the high society from back then used to go from the mansion to the dance hall. The status of architectonic preservation is exquisite and the care put into the park’s plants and flowers is truly exemplary. There is a good reason as to why it’s considered to be Madrid’s most beautiful park.

A similar story yet far from the splendour of El Capricho’s Rococo is the one behind Quinta de Los Molinos, located at the end of Calle Alcalá, in the San Blas-Canillejas district. The original garden was owned by the Count of Torre Arias, who gave it to his friend the architect Cort Botí. Today, there are almost 62 acres in which its almond grove -watching them flourish between February and March is something you cannot miss out on-, the ponds at the far end of the park, the different caves, its Pre-Rationalist palace -currently undergoing restoration works- and Casa del Reloj, which was the summer home of the old owner, are just some of the highlights of this wonderful park. The whole park used to have an ambitious watering system of which there are still traces, such as the windmill of La Rosaleda or the pressure tank where the water was stored to be distributed around the land. There is no doubt that Quinta de Los Molinos is well worth a visit during your stay in Madrid.

Categories: Madrid Ocio, Madrid Turismo