El Capricho Park is one of the places in Madrid where all the splendour and beauty of autumn is at its best. It is a fantastic sight to see the fallen leaves and the orange ochre of the trees. This alone, makes the visit worthwhile. However, this park is also stunning throughout the seasons of the year. The last park we talked about was Real Jardín Botánico. Today, we go to the north of Madrid to make an essential visit to El Capricho Park.

THE JEWEL OF THE DUCHESS OF OSUNA

El Capricho Park is located in the neighbourhood of Alameda de Osuna, which is in the north-east of Madrid. Quinta de los Molinos and Jardín de la Fuente del Berro are also unquestionable jewels of Madrid where you can take a walk and enjoy the scenery which changes colour depending on the season of the year.

El Capricho Park was finished in 1839, 50 years after it was originally designed. It was the Duchess of Osuna who devised this project in order to make it a meeting place for the most important personalities of the time. Therefore, painters, writers, thinkers, bullfighters and intellectual people gathered there.

THE MOST ROMANTIC PARK

El Capricho Park has 14 hectares of land where we can see different styles, such as a French garden, an English garden and an Italian giardino. It is the only park in Madrid built in the age of romanticism.

Not only has it got beautiful ponds, but there is also a laurel maze which still preserves the same structure from the times of the duchess. Furthermore, there is a small palace ( which belonged to the Duke and Duchess of Osuna ) with a ballroom and a small chapel.

Near this park, there are several characteristic places such as Plaza de los Emperadores, Plaza del Capricho or Fuente de los Delfines.

However, we recommend you to go inside this astonishing park and discover all its different corners. The visitor will be moved by its nature, sculptures and architecture.

AFTERNOONS OF CAPRICE

El Capricho Park has a large number of cultural proposals: dancing, live music, live theatre… All these events take place throughout the year, except in winter, in what is called “Afternoons of Caprice”.

Pictures: M. Peinado