Itinerary

We could take a complete trip including the visit to Aranjuez and Chinchon, a town located some 20km away, known above all for its main square. The trip to both locations could be done on foot. In the case of Aranjuez, there is a tourist train that runs the long route through the gardens, but the journey is quite pleasant.

Route through Aranjuez:

Without a doubt some should start their itinerary in the Palacio Real. Buses as well as trains make stops near the Palace, and the access by road, for those that have their own cars, is in the same area.

The Palacio Real as much as the gardens of Aranjuez form part of the Spanish Historical- Artistic Patrimony. The Palace is a building that began its construction during the rulership of Felipe II under the direction of important teachers like Juan de Herrera and Juan Bautista de Toledo. Its initial structure fell prey to a fire and the central structure that we see today is work of Santiago Bonavia, completed during the reign of Fernando VI. In the beginning, only the central body of the palace was erected, but Carlos III ordered the completion of the two lateral wings that you see today.

In its interior, we find, for example, a majestic staircase Escalera de Honor, the Saleta de la Reina (Queen's Room), la Antecamara de Musica (Chamber of Music), the Queen's Study, etc. Throne Room is stunning, Rococo in style and decorated with fantastic tapestries from Brussels and the Royal Factory of Madrid. Continuing through the palace, we find the Sala de la China, completely covered in ornamented porcelain and the Gabinete Arabe (Arabian Cabinet), which reproduces the Sala de las Dos Hermanas de la Alhambra (Room of the two Sisters of the Alhambra). In all the ensemble, the sumptuousness to the Bourbon Court is gathered in its furniture, watches, crystal chandeliers and the rest of the artistic pieces.

Next to the Palace we find the Jardin del Parterre (Flowerbed Garden). It was designed in the French style by Boutelou in the 18th C. In it there are three fountains of great beauty, of which stands out the Fountain of Hercules, where the 12 Labors of Hercules are represented.

From the Parterre, you can access the Jardin de la Isla across 2 bridges. This is a green area situated on a small island formed by the Tagus R. It is a magnificent green space with wide avenues and numerous sculptures of mythological scenes.

The last of the gardens that we find is the Jardin del Principe. It is the most beautiful of the three and at the same time, the largest (150 hectares). They consist in gardens criss-crossed by wide avenues that make up an organized city of vegetation. In this extensive space, we find a multitude of fountains, sculptures, pavilions, and ponds. These coexist with numerous species of trees, many of which were brought from America by express order of Carlos IV.

In the garden, we first find the Casa de Marinos, made in its time as a place of residence for the mariners of the 'Tagus fleet', and today is a museum where barges that were used by the monarchs in the Tagus are displayed. At the other end of the garden, the Casa del Labrador is located. It is a small Neoclassical-style palace built for Carlos IV, fundamentally for his court celebrations. In its three stories you can contemplate the grandeur and splendor of the Bourbon dynasty. The Gabinete de Platino, covered with wood containing gold and platinum inlays, is a highlight of this visit along with its Billiards Room, Statue Gallery and Dance Hall.

Leaving the Jardines del Principe, we can continue the path by visiting the Iglesia de los Alpajes, from the closing of the 17th C., in which you see the impressive window containing the shield of Carlos II. Next, we will see the Convento de San Pascual, erected between 1765 and 1770 by Francisco Sabatini. This Neoclassical façade is finished off by two towers and decorated with an elegant set of columns and pillars. Nearby is the Bull ring, built in 1791, and where Goyan bullfights are organized at least once a year.

Making our way back to the Palacio Real, we can see, in the center, the Baroque Iglesia de San Antonio, the Market, an example of iron architecture of the 19th C. and the 18th C. Courthouse and Theatre structures.

In the summer, the Madrid-Aranjuez journey may be made on the Tren de la Fresa (the Strawberry Train). It is a replica of the 1815 train that inaugurated the second railway of Spain. During its trajectory, travelers are offered strawberries in a journey to the past where the personnel dress in era clothing.