Aranjuez

The Royal Palace of Aranjuez, located on the Tagus River valley, is one of the residences of the Spanish Royal Family and an exceptional testament to Spanish history and art. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, specifically to the former Casa Maestral of the Order of Santiago, used as a recreational residence by the monarchs beginning in the 15th century.

The Palace we know today is the result of a long construction process spanning several centuries and involving numerous architects and artists. Philip II commissioned the initial project to Juan Bautista de Toledo in 1561, who designed a palace around a square courtyard with two side wings, following the model of El Escorial. After Toledo's death, Juan de Herrera continued the work, introducing some modifications and completing the Cuarto Nuevo (New Room), intended for the king's chambers and the chapel.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Palace was expanded and transformed. Philip V promoted the construction of the eastern and western wings, while Santiago Bonavía carried out major remodeling work, such as the main staircase and the main façade. Charles III focused on the interior decoration, highlighting the Porcelain Cabinet, a jewel of Spanish Rococo art. Francesco Sabatini was commissioned to design the two wings flanking the Plaza de Armas, as well as the Royal Parade, a space designed for events and performances.

In the 19th century, the Palace underwent further transformations, adapting to the tastes and needs of the time. Modifications were made to the interior decoration, such as King Francis's Arab Cabinet, an example of exoticism and fascination with Eastern culture.

The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is an architectural complex of great historical and artistic value. Elements of different styles, from the Renaissance to Neoclassicism, can be appreciated here, merging into a harmonious and balanced whole. Highlights include its facades, interior courtyard, main staircase, chapel, and numerous halls and rooms decorated with works of art and period furniture.

The Palace also has other tourist attractions, such as its gardens, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Considered the most beautiful gardens of that time, they served as inspiration to artists such as the composer Joaquín Rodrigo or the painter Santiago Rusiñol. 

There are several historic gardens surrounding the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, each one representing a different type of style according to the time and taste of the monarch who commissioned its creation. 

Today you can visit the Prince's Garden (between the Puerta de Villanueva and Calle Isabel II), the Queen's and King's Garden (the latter from the Parterre), the Isla, Isabel II and Parterre gardens.

The collection of falúas or fluvial pleasure boats is composed of forty objects, six of which are boats and the rest mastites, models and other elements related to the nautical hobbies of the kings. The museum recalls the courtyas in the rivers and ponds of the Real Sites of Buen Retiro in Madrid, La Granja de San Ildefonso and, above all, Aranjuez. The oldest and most spectacular boat to be exhibited is the golden gondola commissioned in Naples by Charles II in 1683, for use in the pond of Buen Retiro in Madrid. Chronologically, it follows the Carlos IV façade, built in Cartagena at the beginning of the 19th century. From the reign of Fernando VII dates the falca with dolphins interlaced in the bow and the royal coat of arms laureate in the stern, as well as the pavilion adorned with butterflies and garlands. To the reign of Isabel II corresponds the canoe in mahogany wood with reinforcements of golden bronze, constructed in Ferrol in 1859. Also of Isabel II is the boat of cabotage work of Jose Tuduri de la Torre, dedicated by "Mahon to its queen". Finally, it exposes the falúa of Alfonso XII, gift of the city of Ferrol in 1879, that was used by the monarch in his stays summer in San Sebastián. In addition we can enjoy the paintings referring to the Spanish squadron of the nineteenth century, as well as a set of bronze cannons from the reign of Fernando VI and various utensils for navigation of falúas.

The Aranjuez Bullring is one of the oldest and most beautiful arenas in Spain, fully integrated into the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. Built in 1796 by order of King Charles IV, it stands out for its imposing Neoclassical architecture and its strategic location within the town's Enlightenment-era layout. Inaugurated by legendary figures of bullfighting, its brick and stone structure has witnessed over two centuries of history, surviving fires and reconstructions to regain its original splendor.

When visiting this monument, travelers discover much more than a venue for festivities:

• Royal Architecture: Its circular design and monumental facade place it on par with great historic arenas such as the Maestranza in Seville or Ronda.
• Aranjuez Bullfighting Museum: Inside, visitors can explore a comprehensive exhibition detailing the evolution of the art of bullfighting through trajes de luces (bullfighter costumes), historic posters, and personal items belonging to great masters.
• National Heritage: The building is an essential part of the monumental ensemble surrounding the Royal Palace, making it a mandatory stop on any walking tour of the historic center.

Today, the Bullring remains a living space that hosts traditional bullfights during the San Fernando Festivities and the Aranjuez Mutiny Festival, as well as various cultural events. Its preservation and museum facilities make it one of the most interesting tourist sites for those seeking to understand the identity and traditions of the Royal Site.

In 1759 Charles III, who had been king of Naples and Sicily, came to the throne. He chose Aranjuez to live, as it reminded him of his Neapolitan city of Caserta and chose this enclave to develop an experimental agroindustrial and livestock project to activate progress from the enlightened perspective. Thus, in 1762 he created the Cortijo Real, similar to San Leucio, near Caserta, also of agricultural experimentation and that served as a supply of good products to the royal palace.

In the beautiful natural landscape of the Real Bosque began to break virgin lands, forming tree-lined streets to access the new orchards, artificial meadows for grazing etc. They brought from Naples cows, buffaloes, sheep, horses, oxen ... and to irrigate the lands they built three caces and transformed the historical caz de la Azuda. In addition, they planted 25,000 varied trees and 128,000 strains, raising a fence to protect crops from wild animals. In 1770, King Carlos III had a house built for the director of the cortijo, royal residence, stables, oratory, stables ...

Today, when entering the Real Cortijo we find an urban helmet of neoclassic style in which emphasizes the hermitage of San Isidro, in the center. Visiting this enclave allows us to admire the Real Bodega, the Plaza Mayor, the Winery and the Royal House. Its pentagonal perimeter is framed by leafy green areas. And in its environment, the hydraulic systems that distribute the water of the Tagus by the fertile plots are still active. These protected elements are the perfect excuse for a good hiker route.

These celebrations, declared of International Tourist Interest, are celebrated since 1981. Each September, coinciding with the celebration of the traditional fairs of cattle and the harvest of yesteryear, the neighbors of Aranjuez remember before 6,000 spectators the Mutiny.

The first act takes place in the Palace of Godoy, where the assault is represented to the house of the minister of the king Carlos IV, Manuel Godoy. The neighbors go through the streets of Aranjuez with torches, the drum roll and the shout of "die Godoy", until arriving at the palace, where they capture him. The event ends with a fireworks display.

The assault was the beginning of a historical cycle, with the fall of a tyrant, the change of the holder of the Monarchy and the step towards the Spanish constitutionalism, whose initial leg was forged in the Royal Site of Aranjuez with the first meetings of the Board Supreme Central and Government of the Kingdom, which would culminate as a project and reality in 1812 when proclaiming the Constitution of Cadiz.

In addition, as part of these festivities, over 170 residents of Aranjuez give life to the chronicle of the National Episodes of Benito Pérez Galdós, which chronicles popular discontent, court intrigues, the fall of Godoy, the abdication of the monarch and the ascent to the throne of its son Fernando VII. The staging takes place in the Couples Square and the Royal Palace becomes the scene of the popular uprising. In an esplanade of more than 7,000 square meters the spectacular representation of the events that took place between the 17 and the 19 of March of 1808 transfers to neighbors and visitors to the Spain of the court of Carlos IV.

A train with a century of history, the Strawberry Train offers its visitors, on spring and autumn weekends, a journey through time and space, recalling the route of the first railway in the Community of Madrid. A journey of approximately 45 minutes in which you can enjoy wonderful views until reaching Aranjuez.

The Strawberry Train is a unique cultural and leisure experience, with a journey on a historic train made up of carriages with a century of history, and a magnificent day in Aranjuez, a city declared a Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where you can enjoy its many attractions.

On the way back, we will taste the famous Aranjuez strawberry, which gives its name to our train and gives a sweet taste at the end of our journey.

In it is aged and bottled the wine Bodega del Real Cortijo. The visit begins in his garden, where is the huge door of apiary stone designed by Marquét (royal architect of many monuments of Aranjuez) in the s. XVIII. It is the access to the subterranean cave where it is possible to cross its two branches of almost half kilometer of length flanked by two hundred niches in which the wine ages. The visit ends in the winery, a vaulted room example of the civil architecture of 1792, where a tasting is performed. The winery also organizes complete tastings with winemakers.

Get on board the Curiosity, a boat that will take you sailing around the city of Aranjuez in a leisure experience for the whole family.

You'll have an onboard guide during the 45-minute trip, and you'll also be able to take part in an original outdoor escape-room game called ‘The Secret City’, suitable for all the family to enjoy.

Set sail on the magnificent heritage city of Aranjuez and discover places you would never have dreamed of before!