Arganda del Rey

This town has 59,000 inhabitants ((2023) and is located 34 km southeast of Madrid. It is a municipality full of history, nature and culture.

The origins of Arganda date back to the Stone Age, as evidenced by the Paleolithic sites discovered in the Jarama Valley. Later, Celtiberians and Romans left their mark on the area, and in the 11th century, after the Christian reconquest, the first important population centre was founded. In 1583, Philip II granted Arganda the status of Royal Town, a status it held until 1613, when it was acquired by the Duke of Lerma. This event triggered the famous Arganda Mutiny, a popular uprising against the feudal domain.

Arganda del Rey has a valuable monumental heritage, with examples such as the remains of the Hermitage of Valtierra, from the 13th century, one of the few examples of Mudejar architecture in the Community of Madrid; the Casa del Rey, a 16th century building that was the residence of the German ambassador Hans Kevenhuller; the Parish Church of San Juan Bautista, from the 17th century, with its imposing ashlar tower; and the Hermitage of San Roque, from the 17th century, built as an offering after a plague epidemic. On the outskirts we find the Arganda optical telegraphy tower, one of the most important in Spain that operated between 1849 and 1856.

Taste the famous Arganda wine, with the Designation of Origin "Vinos de Madrid", and learn about its production process at the Vinícola de Arganda winery. Don't miss the Motín de Arganda festivities or the Patron Saint Festivities in honour of the Virgen de la Soledad, with its bull runs, capeas and bullfights.

Don't miss the Arganda Train, a tourist train that runs between La Poveda and the Campillo lagoon, using historic railway material restored by the Vapor-Madrid Railway Initiatives Centre. This historic train, which is part of the railway heritage of the Community of Madrid, is a vestige of the narrow-gauge line, inaugurated in 1886, which linked Madrid with Arganda del Rey.

Part of the municipality of Arganda del Rey is included in the Regional Park of the Southeast, a protected area that houses a wide variety of ecosystems and landscapes. Nature lovers can enjoy hiking and cycling routes, birdwatching in the lagoons of La Esperilla and Las Madres, or simply relax in the El Carrascal meadow.