Parque del moro madrid

campo del moro tripadvisor

In Madrid we find many parks and gardens, several with a good botanical collection, such as El Capricho Park. But I want to put my finger on one in particular, for being spectacular and unknown to many: EL CAMPO DEL MORO

These gardens of Madrid received this name because in 1109 the Almoravid leader Ali Ben Yusuf set up his camp there, with the idea of reconquering Madrid and the Alcazar held by the Christians. Later, Felipe II acquired these lands and others to give grandeur to the Alcazar. During the reigns of Philip III and Philip IV it had been the site of festivities of all kinds, until, under the influence of the Count Duke of Olivares, the celebrations began to be held in the Parque del Buen Retiro.

It was during the reign of Isabel II, in 1844, when some landscaping works were conceived and carried out by the main architect of the Palace, Narciso Pascual y Colomer, who designed a formalist complex with a fabulous English style garden following the romantic concept of nature.

palacio real de madridresidencia oficial en madrid, españa

DescripciónInformaciónInspirada en el concepto romántico de la naturaleza, la reina María Cristina decidió convertir este lugar en un jardín de estilo inglés en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX. En 1931 fue declarado Monumento Histórico-Artístico.

En el pasado no se había desarrollado como jardín, ya que no era posible conectar la zona con el Palacio Real, que estaba situado a una altura mucho mayor. Esta posición se aprovechó para crear una de las mejores vistas de Madrid, con el Palacio Real asomando tras un extenso tapiz verde, rodeado de fuentes monumentales dentro de un amplio y sombreado jardín romántico. Los jardines contienen también dos fuentes neoclásicas: la Fuente de los Tritones y la del Palacio de las Conchas.

Su nombre hace referencia a un episodio histórico ocurrido en 1109, cuando el caudillo musulmán Alí Ben Yusuf intentó reconquistar Madrid tras la muerte del rey Alfonso VI, atacando la fortaleza desde la ladera cercana al río. Parece ser que él y sus tropas acamparon en los actuales jardines.

temple of debod

These gardens of Madrid received this name because in 1109 the Almoravid warlord Ben-Alí set up his camp there. The name, however, was given from the nineteenth century, taking as a reference the attack against the city that carried out this leader. Supposedly, he camped with his troops in the same place where the garden is located today.

This landscaped complex is part of the gardens of the Royal Palace. Philip IV took care of beautifying the place by building fountains and planting trees. The project as such was initiated in the 19th century by Queen Maria Cristina: gradually a fabulous nineteenth-century style garden was created following the romantic idea of nature.

During construction, the grounds of Campo del Moro could not be landscaped due to the slope from the Royal Palace, which is located at a high altitude. However, over time, and after a rigorous study, they took advantage of this unevenness to create one of the most beautiful perspectives of Madrid: the Royal Palace rises at the end, behind an extensive carpet of natural grass with fountains and monuments.

royal palace of madrid

To enter the Campo del Moro is to be transported to an enchanted park, away from cars and the city as soon as you cross the gates. It seems unbelievable that such a place is in the heart of the city? Quiet, pleasant, with a peculiar light, full of vegetation and special corners, it is perfectly possible to get lost in it despite being so visited by many people. Easily accessible, totally free and next to the famous Sabattini Gardens and the Royal Palace. A beautiful place to visit for both tourists and residents of the city.

Gerardo Olivares