A centenary celebrating the connection between city and nature
This year, Madrid is dressed to celebrate the centenary of the Quinta de los Molinos, an emblematic park that has evolved from its origins as an agricultural estate to become a vital public space for the community. The celebration includes a free exhibition at the Casa del Reloj, where visitors can explore the rich history of this site.
The exhibition, open until 17 May, offers a visual journey through time, presenting historical and current photographs, original plans, and documents that illustrate its development. The hours are from Tuesday to Sunday, allowing everyone to enjoy this cultural experience.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is the tribute to César Cort Botí, the architect responsible for the original design. His legacy is reflected not only in the park's facilities but also in a new facsimile edition of his work Urbanized Fields and Ruralized Cities, originally published in 1941. This book is fundamental to understanding his vision of the integration between the urban and the natural.
Under the supervision of the delegate for Urbanism, Environment and Mobility, Borja Carabante, along with other councillors, the historical and landscape value represented by this park has been emphasized. Carabante highlighted how this space serves as a model for harmonious coexistence between architecture and nature.
The exhibition is divided into three thematic modules: one dedicated to Cort Botí, another to the role of the City Council in its conservation, and a third on the relationship between citizens and this natural environment. At the end of the tour, a documentary video summarising the heritage values of the site is projected.
Attendees will also be able to admire personal items belonging to Cort Botí, including five original sketches dated from the 1930s. These elements not only enrich the historical narrative but also offer an intimate look at the creative process behind the park's design.
As Madrid moves towards the future, initiatives like this underline the importance of preserving green spaces within the urban fabric. The recent declaration of the Quinta as a BIC (Asset of Cultural Interest) has allowed for essential work to restore historic paths and promote educational cultural activities.
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