Aranjuez, Royal municipality in Community of Madrid, Spain
Aranjuez is a town at the meeting point of the Tagus and Jarama rivers in the Community of Madrid, about 31 miles (50 kilometers) south of the capital. The royal complex with its extensive garden areas forms the town center, while residential neighborhoods spread around this historic core.
The Catholic Monarchs established a royal residence here in the late 15th century, later expanded under the Habsburgs. In the 18th century, King Philip V commissioned a new palace following French design, which shapes the current complex.
The palace grounds feature gardens with mythological sculptures and fountains, while the surrounding streets show the symmetrical layout designed during King Ferdinand VI's reign. Visitors often notice the mulberry trees lining the avenues, originally planted for silkworm cultivation.
The town sits about an hour south of Madrid with regular train connections from Atocha station. Visitors can explore the historic center on foot, as most points of interest lie close together.
The royal gardens hold one of the largest collections of old trees in Europe, including specimens from the 18th century brought from overseas. Part of the original Renaissance irrigation system still functions today.
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