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The Jardín del Parterre de Aranjuez will reopen in September after restoring its Baroque design
Aranjuez will regain one of its most recognisable spaces in September. The Jardín del Parterre, located next to the Palacio Real, will reopen to the public after almost a year of works and a restoration aimed at returning it to its original eighteenth-century Baroque layout, inspired by the French models of Versailles.
The project, led by Patrimonio Nacional, was based on historical plans by Alejandro Cuéllar and preserved documentation about the garden’s design. The aim was not just a simple facelift, but to correct decades of alterations, neglect, and loss of landscape coherence. The goal: for the Parterre to once again visually connect with the Palacio Real as it did originally.
One of the most visible changes will be in the trees. 126 new lime trees adapted to the climate of Aranjuez have been planted, and existing magnolias have been transplanted, bringing the total to 159 trees, eleven more than before the renovation. For visitors, this will mean more orderly walks, shade, and an image closer to the garden as it was conceived in the XVIII century.
The fountains have also played a leading role. The Hércules y Anteo fountain has undergone a complete restoration, including sculptural work, waterproofing of the basin, and repair of the hydraulic system. The Ceres fountain regains its original structure with three jets, while the sculptures have been cleaned, restored, and repositioned according to historical criteria.
The work also includes an invisible but crucial modernisation to preserve the space: a new automatic irrigation system, pumps hidden underground, and pre-installation for future lighting. Patrimonio Nacional is also preparing a mobile app so visitors can access historical and botanical information during their visit. The investment is around five million euros, funded with European funds.
The reopening will not be immediate, even though the work is nearly finished. The expectation is that the project will be completed by the end of June, but the garden will not open until September to ensure the vegetation and facilities are in good condition for public use.
The return of the Parterre matters because Aranjuez is not defined by its Palacio alone. Its gardens are an essential part of the cultural landscape that makes this place by the Tajo unique: walks, fountains, perspective, shade, and a leisurely way of enjoying the space that continues to attract people from Madrid and visitors alike. When it reopens, it will not just be a tidier garden. It will be a way to see Aranjuez again with the calm and beauty for which it was designed.