I come back right at you again with my dear Madrid , never get tired of seeing it writing, speaking of it. You know me by now right….. This is Madrid! I am again glad to have found me this picture in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, This is a beautiful garden right by the Royal Palace worth the detour, me think, Therefore, here is my take on the Tunel de Bonaparte at the Campo del Moro of Madrid !!! Hope you enjoy this post as I.
The Túnel de Bonaparte Tunnel was done with the idea of connecting the Alcázar with the Casa de Campo estate already present during the Habsburg era. It was Joseph Bonaparte (bro of Napoléon Ier), during his brief reign, who promoted the project, commissioning Juan de Villanueva, an important architect in Madrid’s history, to carry it out. The area had been urbanized at the end of the 18C, improving the promenades and banks of the Manzanares river, the Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto with its new chapel, the Puerta de San Vicente and Cuesta de San Vicente, and its continuation towards the estates of La Florida, Moncloa, and El Pardo via what is now Avenida de Valladolid, the old Camino de Castilla. It’s important to remember that this entire vast territory had been royal property since the 16C, with both the Habsburg and Bourbon monarchies sharing a taste for leisure, festivities, and hunting. Historians have it that Alfonso XIII passed through its sturdy brick walls in exile, and years earlier, Fernando VII, Isabel II, and Alfonso XII used it regularly. The Campo del Moro did not have its current configuration. It dates from the mid-19C, on Príncipe Pío hill, between the current train station and the Temple of Debod. There stood the Palace and Gardens of the Quinta de la Florida, now gone. The current Moncloa and Zarzuela Palaces were once leisure pavilions amidst a vast forest of holm oaks and pines, extending to the El Pardo Palace with its Torreón de la Partida, an art gallery that also disappeared, with the Puerta de Hierro serving as the entrance to the grounds. (see posts on many of these sights in my blog)
In this landscape, the tunnel was opened in 1811. The tunnel stretches for 44 meters, from Campo del Moro to Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto. At the same time, the Puente del Rey was built, completing the axis from the Palacio Real to the Casa de Campo. It was decorated in a grotesque style, reflecting the taste of the time. It was opened to the public during the Second Republic (April 14 1931 to April 1st 1939 ). This joy was short-lived, however, as it served as a strategic access point during the Spanish Civil War, leaving the area badly damaged. With the construction of the M-30 beltway, the tunnel was cut off and abandoned. During the Madrid Río (see post) ,and undergrounding works, access to the Casa de Campo was hidden behind concrete walls. Although it has an exit to the new park, the aesthetic and visual effect is disrupted. The exposed brick roof ; high above, a majestic and gallant peacock watches over us, surely inhabited by the spirit of a king.
For now, only the section located in Campo del Moro is accessible. The other end, which falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Madrid, remains closed. Its opening is planned for 2027, at which point the tunnel will finally be able to resume its original function: connecting the Palacio Real, the banks of the Manzanares river, and the Casa de Campo, in the heart of Madrid Río. In the meantime, visitors can explore this historically rich passageway free of charge during the opening hours of the Campo del Moro gardens. This underground walk offers a different perspective on Madrid ; more secluded, more political, and delightfully romantic. One of the sublime off the beatan paths of my dear Madrid !
The Madrid tourist office on the Campo del Moro walks, see Bonaparte tunnel : https://www.esmadrid.com/en/stroll-through-campo-moro-gardens
There you go folks, a nice ,pretty spacious gorgeous gardens and a bit of nice walk in the city! Madrid and the Jardines del Campo del Moro hold many nice spots to see for a whole day! Again, hope you enjoy this post on the tunel de Bonaparte in the Campo del Moro of Madrid !!! as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health ,and many cheers to all !!!
