El Pardo, Residential district with royal heritage in northern Madrid, Spain.
El Pardo is a residential neighborhood in northern Madrid that sprawls across woodland and green spaces. Located roughly 15 kilometers from downtown, it centers on a royal palace as its prominent structure.
The royal palace was built in the early 15th century and served as a residence for Spanish monarchs across the centuries. During the second half of the 20th century, it became the official home of a major political leader of the country.
The royal palace dominates the area with its grand rooms and collections gathered by Spanish aristocracy over many generations. The neighborhood itself maintains an upscale residential character rooted in this royal heritage.
The neighborhood is easily reached by public buses that regularly connect it to downtown and run through the area. The wooded spaces are walkable, and you should allow time for exploration since the district is quite spread out.
The forest surrounding the neighborhood was once a royal hunting reserve, enclosed by walls to protect the wildlife. This old wooded area with its 18th-century boundary remains largely intact to this day.
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