Los Peñascales, Residential district in Torrelodones and Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain.
Los Peñascales is a residential district set between the Sierra del Hoyo hills and the El Pardo forest, built mainly on granite terrain with a mix of detached houses and low-density developments. The houses are spread out generously across the land, with wide gaps between properties and plenty of pine trees filling the open spaces.
The land was originally made up of communal mountain territory and large private estates that wealthy Madrid families used as summer retreats in the late 19th century. That pattern of seasonal occupation gradually gave way to permanent housing as the district grew over the following decades.
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Merced serves as a gathering point for residents and gives the area a quiet, village-like feel despite its residential scale. A former summer residence of the National Industry Institute now operates as a convention center and stands as a recognizable landmark within the district.
The district is best reached by car, as the housing is spread out and walking between points of interest takes time. Street layouts within the residential areas are fairly easy to follow, making it straightforward to move from one part to another.
The Gabriel Enríquez de la Orden reservoir sits right in the middle of the residential area, fed by a small stream called Trofas that runs through the center of the district. Most visitors driving through are surprised to come across a body of water this size so deep inside a housing area.
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