El Capricho Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Capricho |
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The lake in the park
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| Location | Madrid |
| Area | 14 |
| Established | 1787 |
| Public transit access | El Capricho |
El Capricho is a beautiful park located in Madrid, Spain. The word capricho means "whim" or "fancy" in Spanish. This special park was started in 1787 by a noble lady named María Josefa Pimentel, Duchess of Osuna (1752-1834). She created it on her large estate at Alameda de Osuna, which was outside the city of Madrid at that time.
The park is designed in an old style from the 1700s. It mixes formal, neat garden areas with more natural-looking parts. Many people think it is one of the most beautiful parks in Madrid.
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Park Design and Features
The way the park is laid out shows some ideas from English gardens. You can find interesting "eye-catchers" here. These are special spots designed to catch your attention. For example, there's a small house for a hermit (someone who lives alone). There is also a temple dedicated to Bacchus, a god from ancient stories. The park also has a lovely lake and a fun maze to explore.
Buildings and History
Inside the park, you can see several buildings from when the Duchess lived there. The biggest one is the ducal palacio, which means "palace." This was where the Duchess and her family stayed.
The Duchess kept adding new things to the gardens throughout her life. One of the last additions was an iron bridge, built in 1830. This footbridge is thought to be the very first iron bridge ever built in Spain.
There is also a special bunker in the park. It was built during the Spanish Civil War (a big conflict in Spain's history). This bunker is known as posición Jaca. It served as a shelter during that time.
Protecting the Park
El Capricho park is very important. It has been officially named a jardín histórico. This means it is a historic garden and is protected so it can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Visiting the Park
The park is now part of the Madrid suburbs. You can easily get there by bus or by the metro (line 5). El Capricho park is usually open to the public on weekends.
In 2016, there was a plan to open the old palace inside the park as a museum. This would let even more people learn about its history.
See also
In Spanish: Parque de El Capricho para niños
