So this one has a story. I came here when a young teen, then disappear never a chance for pictures. Years went by, my family mentioned it, and friends visited as well. I kept away, until this year as took my young men sons to see the heritage of our Spain and Madrid is it. So therefore, we took the long trek to it on a line 5 metro which was my line when lived there! However, at that time the metro line 5 only reach to Ciudad Lineal than was an electric tramway! (I know because my aunt lived in Canillejas and we needed to take it with my dear late mother Gladys) now the line goes all the way to Alameda de Osuna next to Barajas airport (Adolfo Suàrez International Airport of Madrid)! Ok well a bit more of it now finally!!!
The Parque de El Capricho (a whim)is a park and green area located in the Alameda de Osuna neighborhood, in the Barajas district and near the airport of Madrid. It was ordered to be built by the Duchess of Osuna between 1787 and 1839. It has an area of 14 hectares. It is credited with English, French and Italian references, from the time it was built, which are a reflection of the artistic influences of the park’s designers. It is the only garden of Romanticism in Madrid. Examples of this are the maze of bushes, buildings, such as the palace, the small hermitage, or the beautiful ballroom, as well as the creeks that run through it and ponds, where you can find swans and ducks.
A bit of history I like
María Josefa Pimentel, Duchess of Osuna, married to the ninth Duke of Osuna, Pedro Téllez-Girón, was one of the most important ladies of the nobility of the time, and patron of artists. In 1783 she bought land on the outskirts of Madrid to build a recreational farm. A year later, an initial project for the garden was exposed. It began to be built in 1787, ending 52 years later, in 1839. The duchess died without seeing the enclosure completely completed, in 1834. She commissioned the design of the gardens from the architect Jean-Baptiste Mulot, from the French court. The duchess ordered the construction of ponds, which connected the main canal that runs through the park with the ballroom, which is where the parties she gave were held. In the 14 hectares that extend next to the former palace house of the Dukes of Osuna with neoclassical architectural style you will find two clearly defined areas, with a French-style garden and another English-style garden.
During the Spanish Civil War, several underground anti-aircraft shelters were built in the Garden, in which the General Staff of the Army of the Center, commanded by General Miaja, the Jaca position. Remains of the shelter ventilation emerge around the palace.
After decades of relative abandonment, in 1974 it was bought by the Madrid City Council. Its beautiful configuration is a sample that once was the scene of the filming of the movie The Doctor Zhivago, and currently since 2005 in summer concerts and dance shows are scheduled in the El Capricho park in what is called the Tardes de Capricho or afternoons of Capricho. Since May 2016 you can visit the bunker of the Jaca position, code name of the Headquarters of the Republican Army of the Center.
With a good map from the city of Madrid you can trace the park or even google! I admit should had taken more pictures but after a long walk we didn’t say long just a primer this time. The points to see there are:
1.Palace 2. Small Temple 3. Swan Pond 4. Saturn Wheel (Obelisk) 5. Beehives 6. Tench Pond 7. Ruin or Gunner’s Home 8. Battery or Cage 9. Playground 10. River 11. Lake 12. Iron bridge 13. Island and monument to the third Duke of Osuna 14. House of reeds 15. Pavilion of mats 16. Kiosk and pier 17. Rollercoaster 18. Dance kiosk 19. Flower garden 20. House of the Old 21. Bullring 22. Parterre 23. Duelist Column 24. Hibernarium 25. Bridge over the ravine 26. Exedra and Emperor’s Square 27. Pond of the Parterre 28. Dolphin Fountain 29. Frog Spring Garden 30 Frog Source Garden Grotto 31. Labyrinth Cave 32. Labyrinth 33. Cows House 34. New Pond 35. Plane Tree Place 36. Hermitage 37. Duck Pond 38. Refuge (Bunker) 39. Powder Magazine 40. Fountain Square 41. Officers’ House 42. Public Washrooms 43. Bunker ventilation Fans.
El Capricho Park is located in Alameda de Osuna, next to Juan Carlos I Park. El Capricho Park, you should know that it is only open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with schedules from 9h to 21h, from April to September, and from 9h to 18h30 , from October to March. Admission is free although there is a limit to the number of people who can access during a day to avoid crowds. You get there easily on the Metro line 5 direction Alameda de Osuna stop Capricho. Go out and walk about 700 meters to the park on a dirt trail.
The city of Madrid tourist office take on it: Tourist office of Madrid on El parque de El Capricho
And there you go another dandy park, nice historical, with wonderful things to see but need plenty of time which we did not have much as it is recommended 2,5 hours to see it all! Just plan ahead for the Parque de El Capricho of Madrid!
And remember, happy travels , good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 