Parks in Madrid

On our Journey

The photo below I thought I would include as this place came as quite a shock to us. We could smell this place before we could see it. Its seems to be a gypsy/homeless camp that has been created in the ruins of a demolished construction site in the center of Madrid.We did not observe the human population however there was a huge cat population to the right of this photo (you cant see them, but it is like a carpet of cats! <3).
 

Casa de Campo 

The Casa de Campo "Country House" is the largest urban park situated west of central Madrid. It was formerly a royal hunting estate. Its area is more than 1,750 hectares.

An amusement park, and the Madrid Zoo are located inside the park.

In 1936–39, during the Spanish Civil War, the front lines of the Siege of Madrid ran through the Casa de Campo, where the Republicans had halted a nationalist offensive in November 1936.

We went there with the idea of hiring bikes and traversing this massive park that way - however when we arrived there was a huge bike race on throughout the park so we strolled along the edge of the park which was as large as they can get, and really quite dry (see photo below).

 

 We did however find a huge climbing pyramid thing and stopped there for a rest.

 

The rest of the journey that was taken can be seen in map below.

 


 
The image to the right is the Faro de Moncloa (Lighthouse of Moncloa) is a 100-metre high transmission tower with an observation deck at the Plaza De Moncloa. 

In the upper viewing deck, there was a restaurant for awhile.

It was built in 1992. The tower has been closed to the public since 2005.




















The image to the left is of a gum tree or a "eucalyptus" which as you would all know are native to Australia. 

Here comes your lessons in Ecology!


As with most plants they exist in their environment with a natural enemy, be it a beetle or a mite. 


In Australia eucalyptus exist with their natural enemy which controls and affects their growth and distribution.


Overseas where eucalyptus exist without their natural enemy they are a bushier tree and have significantly denser foliage.


If you would like to know more about the eucalyptus and their natural enemies abroad click this link. 



The photos that follow are all photos that were taken in the Parque del Oeste (The west park). Kyran reckons there are bullet holes in the pillar he leans against!


 

Later on our walk to the Casa de Campo we encountered this amazing view...

also there's a castle in the background...

Well that's one of three blogs that I have posted this weekend so don't forget to check out the rest!

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