Aranjuez
Travel Guide Europe Spain Madrid Aranjuez
Introduction
Aranjuez is a town with a population of around 53,000 people in the south of the Autonomous Region of Madrid about 50 kilometres south of Madrid. The main attraction of this town is the Royal Palace and the surrounding gardens, which have been put on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001, as a cultural landscape. For lovers of classical music, the town might be famous because of the Concierto de Aranjuez, which was composed by Joaquin Rodrigo.
Neighbourhoods
The town of Aranjuez is divided into 8 neighbourshoods: Centro, Vergel, Olivas, Las Aves, Nuevo Aranjuez, Foso, Moreras and La Montaña.
Sights and Activities
The Royal Palace
The palace was build in the late 16th century upon the wished of King Felipe II, and over the years completed and extended with two large wings. The Palace is situated at the place where the river Jamara and the Tagus meet. A visit to the castle includes visits to the King's and the Queen's private chambers, the Gala Dining hall and the Throne room. One of the highlights however is the Arabian Room, which is decorated with the Alhambra in Granada in mind. The room was done by the architect who was in charge of the restauration on the Alhambra. In the room is also a painting of the Courtyard of Lions, that can be found in the Alhambra. Another highlight is the Porcelain Study, which has all the wall covered by Chinese porcelain figures which are held in place by screws. On the southside of the palace is the Garden of the King, and the Parterre, with layed out garden, and the fountain of Ceres.
Jardin del Principe
Near to the palace there are a lot of gardens, which make a nice retreat for the people of Aranjuez as well as for the visitors. Almost every king has extended the gardens. Especially the Jardin del Principe has been extended several time. It can be devided into several gardens, with different themes and dating from different era's. In this garden, you will find a mixture of trees and plants from Europe, and from the Americas. The garden follows the stream of the river Tagus, which makes a natural border for the garden.
When coming from a visit to the palace, the easiest way to enter the Jardin del Principe is at the beginning of the Calle de la Reina.
If you walk through the gates you can walk the road between the 1st and the 2nd garden, till the end where you will find 5 pavillions, and also the Landing stage for the royal family. It was a custom for a long time that the royals made the trip to the pavillions by boat, which also included musicians, making the trip into a kind of floating opera. Near to the pavillions is the Museo de las Faluas (the boat museum). If you follow the Tagus, which makes a bent here, you will get to other parts of the park. The 5th and 6th garden might be the most beautiful ones. Here you can find the fountain of Neptune, and a nice Chinese pond. In the so called 8th garden you can visit the Casa de Labrador, which is a small palace, build in the 18th century, and now holds a museum.
Jardin de la Isla
The other garden is the Jarden de la Isla (Garden of the Island), which streches next to the Palace. In this garden you can find fountains tributed to Hercules, Venus, Apollo, Bacchus and Neptune.
The Palace and the surrounding gardens were put on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.
Plaza de Toros
A bit further to the south, just off the big street called the Antigua Carretera de Andalucia lies the bullfighting ring of Aranjuez. It has a small museum next to it, called the Museum "Una Gran Fiesta".
Events and Festivals
Getting There
By Plane
The nearest major airport is the airport of Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD).
By Train
Aranjuez can be reached very easily by train from Madrid. The cernanias (the commuter trains that services the suburbs of Madrid) also goes to Aranjuez. It is the last stop on the C-3 line. From Sol in the middle of Madrid, it takes around 50 minutes to arrive at the station in Aranjuez.
By Car
Aranjuez lies on the A-4 highway that runs from Madrid to the south to Córdoba and Seville. An alternative for the A-4 is the R-4, which is toll free, and splits off from the M-50 highway, south of Madrid, near Getafe.
By Bus
From the busstation of Mendez Alvaro in the south of Madrid, the company of Aisa y Samar has a direct busconnection between Madrid and Aranjuez.
Getting Around
By Car
By Public Transport
By Foot
As a visit to Aranjuez should include a long stroll through the several gardins, walking is the best way to see the town. The most important sights are close to each other, on walking distance from the palace. When arriving by train, you have to know that the palace is a good 15 minutes walk, along a not so good road, without pavements, so taking the bus outside the trainstation might be a good option.
By Bike
Eat
Drink
Quick Facts
[edit]
- Population
- 52.873
- Altitude
- 490 metres
- Time Zone
- CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)
- CEST (UTC+2)
- Coordinates
-
- Latitude: 40.036125
- Longitude: -3.604889
Contributors
Herr Bert (89%)
as well as Utrecht (11%)
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This is version 14. Last edited at 20:29 on Sep 6, 09 by Herr Bert (0). 5 articles link to this page.
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