It has taken five months of work and an investment of 655,000 euros to restore one of Madrid’s most beautiful historic gardens —and thus, to the people of Madrid—two of its most unique 19th-century structures in the capital: the former dance hall and the fort in El Capricho Park.
With the renovation undertaken in this green space, located at number 25 on Paseo de la Alameda de Osuna, the Madrid City Council has restored two elements of the garden’s architectural heritage with the aim of“restoring to the people of Madrid the charm of one of the city’s most valuable and enchanting spots.”
As for the ballroom, it brings back customs from a bygone era, such as the celebration of parties in grand halls, attended by the cream of society at the time.
The work at this site has consisted, among other measures, of restoring original structural elements, reinforcing the vaulted ceiling of the main hall, and restoring “unique features such as steps, floors, and paving, using original or new pieces.” In addition, the wooden joinery has been restored while respecting its historical design.
As for the fort, the restoration focused on cleaning, stabilizing, and reinforcing its structure while preserving its original appearance. One of the most notable interventions, however, was the reconstruction of the lost sentry box, which was carried out using graphic documentation, historical models, and old plans, as explained by the Madrid City Council.
In a post on the Visitando Jardines website, reference is also made to the function this structure served: “it featured drawbridges, flags, cannons, and a sentry box with a soldier figurine, all intended for the gentlemen’s games.”
The future museum at the El Capricho Palace
The dance hall and the fort are not the only projects transforming this romantic, late-18th-century landscape-style garden, designed on commission for María Josefa Alonso Pimentel, Duchess of Osuna.
It is precisely in their honor that the Palacio del Capricho will open as a museum after the summer, according to ABC. Furthermore, this could be the catalyst for this park (which is currently open only on weekends and holidays) to also be open for visits Monday through Friday.
The opening of this building as a museum is a long-standing project: it was already being discussed during Manuela Carmena’s mayoral term in 2018, and since then, work has been carried out intermittently.
Other points of interest in El Capricho Park
Until the opening of that future museum, there are many other points of interest in this park custom-built for the duchess. One of the most peculiar is the Casa de la Vieja, a retreat where she enjoyed hosting parties, pastoral comedies, and séances. Our colleague Esther Álvarez recounted its in-depth history in this report.
Another site that often attracts a great deal of interest is the Civil War bunker that still stands, which can only be visited on exceptional occasions, such as during the various editions of Pasea Madrid.
When to visit El Capricho Park
The hours for El Capricho, which is open only on weekends and holidays, are as follows:
- April through September: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- October through March: 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- The park will be closed to the public on December 25 and January 1.
Admission is free until capacity is reached (1,000 people), and there are a number of rules to keep in mind if you wish to visit: pets are not allowed (even if they are on a leash), nor are scooters or bicycles. Eating inside the garden or playing ball is also prohibited.