And here again, find myself updating a memorable space in a sentimental city for me. I have lots of memories of this histocal park in Madrid with lots of youthful exhuberant activities… I have many posts on Madrid in my blog and this one deserves an update/revision. Hope you enjoy the Parque del Oeste or western park of Madrid!
My lovely park another memory that cannot resist visit every year, lucky now that I can do that. My beloved Madrid and my wonderful Parque del Oeste. So many things here to do other than basic stuff you can do in a park. There monuments such as the magnificent Temple of Debod (see post),and the cable car to Casa de Campo (see post on teleferico) , just fantastic. This is another park you should visit wholly while in Madrid.
Parque del Oeste or western park has 8 hectares, located in the area of Princesa, where the temple of Debod shine in all its splendor. It was installed on the remains of the barracks of the mountain (Cuartel de la Montana) according to the same solar orientation that had in its place of origin. The garden enjoys magnificent views of the country house, the park, and the Sierra. It is officially at Calle Ferraz, 1 and the best to get there by metro Plaza de Espana line 2,3 and 10, Principe Pio lines 6,10,and Radial, as well as Moncloa lines 3 and 6, and Ventura Rodríguez on line 3. It is specifically located between the Carretera de Coruna or expressway , Ciudad Universitaria (university city) and the district of Moncloa, between the avenue of the Arco de la Victoria and the Paseo del Pintor Rosales, to the east; linea del ferrocarril or railroad line, west and Avenida de Seneca, north. They cross it inside, the Paseo de Roberto Chapi, Paseo de Camoens and Calle Francisco and Calle Jacinto Alcántara.
Inside there is an artificial estuary of about 600 meters in length. A cedar tree call “El Abuelo ” or grandfather (Cedrus Atlantica), catalogued as a singular tree, two specimens of Sophora “Pendulum “, a majestic Ginko, the Choperas of Populus nigra and the plantations on the edge of the estuary of Corylus, Cornus, etc. At the end of the Paseo de Platanos (bananas), which runs along this area, you can contemplate various species of birds in the center of AviFauna, such as different birds etc., providing information panels.
Before the 20C, the land currently occupied by the park was the city’s main garbage dump . The work began in 1893 and the first phase was inaugurated in 1905. This phase comprised an approximate area of 87 hectares between the current streets of Moret, and Seneca,and Paseo de Camoens, today Paseo de Camos. In 1906 continued the works of the second phase, reaching the mountain barracks (present location of the Temple of Debod). It was spread parallel to the Paseo del Pintor Rosales, on old dumps. During the Spanish Civil War the Parque del Oeste became battlefield of the Battle of the University city, opening trenches and building bunkers that still today can be seen in its far north. Once the war was over, Cecilio Rodríguez, responsible for the municipal parks, took care of his reconstruction, which lasted until the end of the 1940s. During the years 1956 and 1973 it was extended, occupying the grounds of the Cuartel de la Montana, building the Rosaleda and the Parque de la Montana , placing it at the current Temple of Debod.
You have several monuments ,statues, busts in the park ,but the obvious must are:(pictures in individual posts). The three gun bunkers of the Republican side that are retained of the twenty that were installed during the Spanish Civil War in the Parque del Oeste. Its magnificent Rosaleda (see pic) with more than 15,000 m2 and 20,000 roses from all corners of the planet. The Jardín de la Rosaleda with more than 500 variaties of Roses from the world over; perfect for a family walk and beautiful pictures. La Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste exist since 1956. This was the work of the main gardener here who was inspired from the great work done in Paris etc at the end of the 19C early 20C as well as the one at Retiro done in 1915. The central part has small lakes and here you can see the fountain of youth or Fuente de la Juventud, done by Federico Coullant Valera, who, also did the alas of victory that adorn the Metropolis building in the Gran Vía , and the Monument to Cervantes in the Plaza de España. On the laterals you will see arches that you can go in, walk by them like if you were in an underground passageway where the walls are decorated with green leaves and colorful roses. Plenty of trails here to walk into the lawns,and find many variaties of roses, their origins and year that participated and won a prize. The best here is the cable car of many rides of youth and now family trips this is the Teleférico de Rosales (see post). You can climb into the mountain of Principe Pio and visit the Templo de Debod (see post) and its gardens, and see from there wonderful views of the Palacio Real (see post) or Royal Palace and the Cathedral of the Almudena (see post). The hours here are from 10h to 20h every day and in summer to 21h, check always for hours. The entrance is free. The Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste is located in the Calle Rosaleda s/n, a bit away from Paseo del Pintor Rosales,closer to the Templo de Debod,and a few meters from the cable car /Teleférico
Others are the Fountain of Juan de Villanueva,Monumento al Maestro or the master, Bust of Jaime I, bust of Paul Harris,. Monument to José de San Martín in the north end of the park. Monument to the Infanta Isabel . Statue of General José Gervasio de Artigas (Argentina). A statue of a Nymphe , statue to the poet Miguel Hernández, the statue of the Blessed Virgin, the equestrian sculpture of Simón Bolívar, the monument to the fallen of the Cuartel de la Montana.
The long webpage of the city of Madrid on Parque del Oeste: https://www.madrid.es/portales/munimadrid/es/Inicio/El-Ayuntamiento/Parques-y-jardines/Patrimonio-Verde/Parques-en-Madrid/Parque-del-Oeste/?vgnextfmt=default&vgnextoid=0a57899a90c7e210VgnVCM2000000c205a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=38bb1914e7d4e210VgnVCM1000000b205a0aRCRD
The Madrid tourist office on Parque del Oeste in English: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/parque-del-oeste
The Madrid tourist office on the Rosaleda garden: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/rose-garden-oeste-park
Again ,another dandy in my beautiful Madrid! One of the nature activities spots you cannot miss visiting the city and enjoying its many spots along a wonderful residential area. Hope you enjoy the Parque del Oeste as I do.
And remember ,happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
Leave a Reply