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In Madrid, after almost 50 years closed, the Villanueva Tunnel, a 19th-century underground passage connecting the Royal Palace with Casa de Campo, has reopened
After half a century closed, the historic Villanueva Tunnel is once again open to the public in Madrid.
Madrid has reopened the Túnel de Villanueva, an early 19th-century underground passage linking the area around the Palacio Real with the Casa de Campo park. It had been closed for almost half a century, but following its restoration it is now open to the public again. Admission is free.
The tunnel was designed by Juan de Villanueva in 1809 at the behest of José Bonaparte as a private exit from the Campo del Moro gardens. The monarch himself never got to walk through it: by the time the work was completed in 1813, he had already left Spain.
The historic part of the tunnel is currently open. During the restoration, its original proportions were recovered, the brickwork and lighting were restored, and information panels were installed.
Opening hours (the same as the gardens):
Cuesta de San Vicente: from April to September, 10:00 to 20:00; from October to March, 10:00 to 18:00.
Cuesta de la Vega: all year round, 10:00 to 20:00.
Paseo Virgen del Puerto: from October to March, 10:00 to 18:00; in April and September, until 21:00; from May to August, until 22:00.
The tunnel is open every day except 25 December and 1 January. The full route will be open once work has been completed on the section managed by the Ayuntamiento de Madrid.