Parque del Oeste - West Park
Located at the Western end of Madrid , the West Park is perfect for people who prefer a more laid-back ambiance than the busy Retiro Park .
The West Park was originally used as an enormous waste-dumping site. However, when the Civil War occurred, the Republicans used the park to take refuge from the invasion of the Nationalist soldiers. Because of this, the site was virtually ruined.
This English landscaped garden was designed by the landscape artist Cecilio Rodriguez during the early 20 th century.
The Parque del Oeste is home of several famous attractions such as the La Rosaleda, Juan Villanueva s fountain, the teleferico, the Egyptian Templo de Debod , and streets of bars and cafés.
The La Rosaleda is a lovely 17,000 sq. meter / 55,700 sq. feet garden specifically for rose species. Every month of May, the annual rose festival is celebrated here.
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The Egyptian Home of the Debod Temple is a 4 th century monument originally built on the site of a military barracks. In 1970, the Egyptian government gave this monument as a symbol of their gratitude for Madrid s saving of important artifacts after the Aswan Dam erection. It is open, with charge, every Tuesdays until Sunday except on holidays.
The teleferico or the cable car rentals are open from April to September, daily from 11 am up to 10 pm. During weekends, holidays and the rest of the months, it opens from 12 pm until 10 pm only. The rentals are moderately priced and are worth the ride.
Every summer, the bars and cafés scatter all around the outdoor areas of the Paseo de Pintor at the West Park.
If you wish to experience Madrid s best historical, recreational and nature-friendly park, you can ride the metro and go down at the Moncloa, Plaza de España or Ventura Rodriguez station.
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