Aranjuez (äränghwāth'), town (1990 pop. 38,239), Madrid prov., central Spain, on the Tagus River. As a market for the irrigated horticulture nearby, it is known for its asparagus and strawberries. It was once a royal summer residence with elaborate gardens. The palace burned several times in the 17th cent. but was rebuilt (1727) by Philip V. Now within commuting range of Madrid, the city manufactures chemicals, metal products, and textiles.
Aranjuez
| 5min Related Video: Aranjuez |
| Wikipedia: Aranjuez |
This article is about the town in Spain near Madrid. For the concerto by Joaquín Rodrigo, see Concierto de Aranjuez.
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Province: | Madrid |
| Autonomous Community: | Madrid |
| Location: | 40.019/40°2'11' N lat. 3.17/3°37'3' W long. |
| Area: | 189'13 km² |
| Population: | 48,139 (2005) |
| Population density: | 254'52 inhabitants/km² |
| Elevation: | 494 m |
| Postal code: | 28300 |
| Name of habitants: | Ribereño (usual), Arancetano (very rare) |
| Website: | www.aranjuez.es |
Aranjuez is a town lying 48 km south of Madrid, in the southern part of the Community of Madrid. It is located at the confluence of the Tagus and Jarama rivers. The municipality of Aranjuez has a population of 56,734 (2009). It is located 48 km from Toledo.
Aranjuez is known for the Palacio Real de Aranjuez, one of the Spanish royal sites, and its vast gardens. The Tagus valley has been intensively farmed since medieval times and the strawberries of Aranjuez are famous throughout Spain. Internationally, Aranjuez has become known through the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo. Rodrigo is buried in the town cemetery.
Contents |
Population
- 2002: 40,928
- 2004: 46,891
- 2005: 48,139
- May 2007: 52,873
Government and administration
The city of Aranjuez is divided into the following districts: Centro, Vergel, Olivas, Las Aves, Nuevo Aranjuez, Foso, Moreras and La Montaña. Since 2003, Aranjuez has been governed by Mayor Jesús Miguel Dionisio Ballesteros, of the Socialist Party.
Economy
The main pillars of the local economy are hotels and tourism. Aranjuez has always been an attractive city for tourists with its Royal Palace, the gardens, the Tagus river and the landscapes. In 2001 this city was designated as a World Heritage Cultural landscape by UNESCO, and since then, tourism has kept on increasing. Much money was spent in order to beautify Aranjuez and many pubs and restaurants were opened (from 2001 to 2004 their number increased 22%). In 2005 a large casino was opened in the city and in March 2008 the Tagus Hospital was opened.
Agriculture
Aranjuez is located on the fertile plain of the Tagus river, and its soil is suitable for growing wheat and other cereals. There are also horticulture plantations (asparagus and strawberries), both irrigated and unirrigated products, vines and melons, which are also typical of the neighbouring region of Castilla-La Mancha.
Industry
The proximity to Madrid and the good communications by road and rail made Aranjuez a suitable location for industry: detergents, mechanical construction, computer and electrical material, photographic materials, pharmaceutical products, paints and varnishes, sugar refineries, and oil mills.
In recent decades, the sugar refinery and the Agfa photographic factory have closed. Cortefiel, a garment company, plans to build a factory in Aranjuez in the next few years.
The majority of the industries are located to the west of the railway station or in the "Gonzalo Chacón" industrial park, in the south. The main existing industries are:
- Lever Brothers (detergents).
- Indra (computer systems).
- Carburos Metálicos (chemicals).
- Fyse (pharmaceuticals).
- Bosch (electrical components for automobiles).
- Slaughterhouse.
Transportation
- Important roads:
- Railways (Renfe):
Local media
Print media
- Heraldo de Aranjuez.
- Tablón de Anuncios.
- Consumo Digital.
- Cuatro Esquinas.
- Divergente.
- El Espejo.
Radio stations
- Onda Aranjuez, 107.8 FM.
- Cadena Ser Aranjuez, 89.3 FM.
- Onda Cero Aranjuez, 90.7 FM.
- Radio Fuga, 92.1 FM.
Sports facilities
- The city has a long tradition of water sports due to its connection with the Tagus river, such as canoeing and rowing. In the Olympic bid of Madrid for the 2012 Olympics, which will be held in London, Aranjuez was the selected site for these sports. In spite of this, there are plans to continue the construction of the necessary sport facilities, which should be finished by 2010.
- Aranjuez has a football team, Real Aranjuez C.F., which plays in the Local Stadium, called "El Deleite".
- Nearby Ocaña has a skydiving and gliding centre at the Aerodrome, and most of the skydivers there base themselves in Aranjuez.
History
- There are several theories about the origin of the name. The most widely-accepted one states that it comes from the Basque language. It is derived from Arantza (hawthorn 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.
- Ferdinand and Isabella, the "Catholic monarchs", converted Aranjuez into a Royal Site. It was the Spring residence of the kings of Spain from the late 19th century.
- Philip II of Spain: Construction of the Royal Palace (Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera).
- 1752: The city of Aranjuez came into being during the reign of Ferdinand VI; previously, only relatives of the monarch were allowed to live in Aranjuez.
- 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 was 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 lists the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape as a World Heritage Site.
Notable people connected with Aranjuez
- Francisco de Asís of Bourbon, husband of queen Isabella II of Spain.
- Francisco Agustín Silvela, Minister of Gobernación and Gracia y Justicia. Vice-President of the Congress of Deputies and Magistrate of the Supreme Court.
- Santiago Rusiñol, painter.
- Joaquín Rodrigo, musician.
- Alicia Hermida, Spanish actress.
- Jose Luis Sampedro, writer.
- Juan Luis Mora Palacios, football player.
- Javier García Portillo, football player.
- Iván Sánchez-Rico Soto alias Riki, football player.
- Pato Clavet, tennis player.
- Ángel Parra (judo), judoka.
- Jesús Hernández, hockey player.
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 restored).
- Charles III's Royal Theatre (to be restored, 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 Palaces.
- Silvela's Palace (also known as Bavaria's Palace).
- Centre of Interpretation of the Natural Reserve "El Regajal-Mar de Ontígola".
- Historical sotos.
- Royal Country Estate of Saint Isidro.
Culture
Traditions
- In summer it is traditional to eat dinner in the picnic areas next to the Tagus river. These places are called gangos, a Spanish word used only in Aranjuez.
Gastronomy
- Garden produce: strawberries and asparagus.
- Pheasant, a characteristic gamebird from the area's forests.
Twin cities
See also
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aranjuez |
- Spanish
- Official homepage of Aranjuez
- http://www.forosaranjuez.info
- http://www.aranjuez.ws
- http://www.aranjuez.com
- http://www.aranjuez.tv
- http://www.aranjuez.org
- http://www.portalaranjuez.com
- The "Strawberry train"
- Pictures of Aranjuez
- http://www.4esquinas.com
- http://www.consumodigital.com
- http://www.divergente.net
- http://www.deportesenaranjuez.com
- English
- Photos of Aranjuez include pictures and images of its typical and pintoresque architecture, historical monuments of Aranjuez, parks and gardens of Royal Seat and Village of Aranjuez and their neighbourhood
- Aranjuez @ AranNet
- Aranjuez in Google Maps
|
|||||||
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Learn More
 | Guitars for Lovers (1995 Album by Various Artists) |
| Clasicas Internacionales (1998 Album by Various Artists) |
| Cristoforo Stati (art) |
 | What is the meaning of the title of an old French song called Aranjuez mon Amour? Read answer... |
| The composer of concierto de aranjuez? Read answer... |
Help us answer these
 | Reason for writing concierto de aranjuez? |
| Where can you see the video to concerto de aranjuez shown on the omusic channel? |
| When the next concert of Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo II-Adagio? |
Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:
Copyrights:
 |
 | Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/. Read more |
 |
| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Aranjuez". Read more |
ADVERTISEMENT
Answer these
- How do you pronounce aranjuez?
- Is there a recording of santana playing aranjuez?
- How do you go from aranjuez to toledo?
Mentioned in
- Guitars for Lovers (1995 Album by Various Artists)
- Clasicas Internacionales (1998 Album by Various Artists)
- Cristoforo Stati (art)
- Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Fantasia para un gentilhombre; Concierto madrigal (Classical Album)
- Joaquín Rodrigo (music)
- Narciso Yepes (music)
- Joaquín Rodrigo (Classical Artist)
- Concierto de Aranjuez (1975 Album by The L.A. 4)
- Space (1969 Album by The Modern Jazz Quartet)
- Concierto de Aranjuez (1989 Album by John Williams/Rodrigo/Albeniz)
- Modern Jazz Quartet: 40th Anniversary Tour (Music Film)
- Nicanor Zabaleta
- Cosimo Lotti (art)
- Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Villa-Lobos: Concerto for guitar; Ponce: Concierto del sur (Classical Album)
