Aranjuez

Aranjuez is a town in the southern part of Autonomous Community of Madrid in central Spain and is the southernmost, and 48 km south of the city of Madrid. It is located at the confluence of the Tagus and Jarama rivers. The municipality of Aranjuez has a population of 48,139 (February 2005), 23,545 are males and 24,594 are females. It is also located 48 km from Toledo.

Aranjuez is known for the Palacio Real de Aranjuez, a royal residence, and its vast gardens. The strawberries of Aranjuez are also famous throughout Spain; they are shipped by the carload to Madrid every day during their season. Internationally Aranjuez has become known through the "Concierto de Aranjuez" by Joaquin Rodrigo. Upon his death he was burried in the towns cemetary.

There are several theories about the origin of the name. The most accepted one states that it comes from Basque language. It derived from Arantza (hawthorne in English), Aran (meaning valley or plum in English). The old name of the city was Aranz. During the Middle Ages, the city was known as Aranzueque or Arançuex until it became Aranjuez. Other theories say that it comes from Latin Ara Jovis or Ara Iovia, which means Jupiter's Altar, but currently the Pre-Roman name is preferred.
Middle Ages: incorporation into Saint James' Order.
The Catholic kings converted Aranjuez into a Royal Site. Since then it has been the spring residence of the Kings of Spain since late 19th century.
Philip II of Spain: Construction of the Royal Palace (Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera).
1752: During the kingdom of Ferdinand VI, the city of Aranjuez is born, as only the people related to the Monarch could live there until that moment.
1808: Mutiny of Aranjuez, by which Charles IV of Spain was forced to abdicate in favour of his son Ferdinand VII of Spain.
1851: Opening of the railway line between Madrid and Aranjuez, the so-called Strawberry Train. This is the second railway line in Spain, after that of Barcelona-Mataró (1848).
1939: Joaquín Rodrigo composes the Concierto de Aranjuez, which would make Aranjuez famous all over the world.
1983: Aranjuez is declared Conjunto Histórico Artístico, literally Historic Artistic Junction.
2001: Unesco awards Aranjuez with Cultural Landscape as World Heritage.

Monuments and places of interest:

Royal Palace.
Isle Garden.
Parterre Garden.
Prince's Garden.
Isabella II's Garden.
House of Trades and Knights.
House of Infantes and Atarfe.
Pleasure craft Museum.
Farmhand's House.
Saint Anthony Square and Royal Chapel.
House of Employees (currently Town Hall).
Alpajes Church.
Saint Pascual's Royal Convent.
Old Saint Charles' Hospital (to be restaured).
Charles III's Royal Theatre (to be restaured, currently in ruins).
Supply Market.
Plaza de Toros and Bullfighting Museum "Una Gran Fiesta".
Medinaceli Palace.
Governor's House (currently University of High Studies Centre Phillip II).
Mother Queen's old garage, today cultural centre "Isabel de Farnesio".
Typical corralas.
Godoy and Osuna's Palaces.
Bavaria's Palace (also known as Silvela's Palace).
Centre of Interpretation of the Natural Reserve "El Regajal-Mar de Ontígola".
Historical sotos.
Royal Country Estate of Saint Isidro.

In summer it is accustomed to have dinner in the picnic areas next to the Tagus river. These places are called gangos, which is a Spanish word only used in Aranjuez.