The town hall of Aranjuez and the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape Foundation are set to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Aranjuez's designation as a unesco world heritage site. This milestone invites reflection on the historical, natural, and cultural heritage that distinguishes the city.
The celebrations will take place from 21 November to 18 December and will feature a variety of activities, including guided tours of the historical sotos (riverbank forests), theatrical walks through the city, musical performances, a drone show, and educational activities aimed at different audiences.
Guided tours to explore Aranjuez's heritage
The activities will kick off on Saturday, 21 November, with a guided tour of the historical sotos, led by the Aranjuez Vegetable Producers Association. This tour will start at 10:30 from the Glorieta de las Doce Calles and will last approximately three hours. There are 50 places available, and prior registration is required. A repeat of this tour will be held on Saturday, 5 December, at the same time and meeting point.
The 2050 Association, sponsored by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Community of Madrid, will also conduct night-time theatrical tours of Aranjuez, offering a unique perspective of the city. These tours are scheduled for Saturdays 28 November, 5 December, and 12 December at 20:00, with a duration of about 90 minutes. Each tour will accommodate 60 participants, and prior registration is necessary.
Music and spectacle to mark the anniversary
A commemorative concert will take place on Thursday, 26 November, at the Teatro Carlos III, starting at 19:00. The concert, performed by Aljibe and titled ‘Aranjuez, where the landscape becomes music and tradition turns into heritage’, will last approximately 80 minutes. Admission is free until capacity is reached, with tickets available through teatroreal.aranjuez.es or at the box office.
Another highlight of the anniversary celebrations will be a drone show on Saturday, 18 December, at 20:00, lasting around 20 minutes. The best viewing location is recommended to be the Plaza de Parejas.
Schoolchildren take centre stage
On Monday, 14 December, the Municipal Sports Centre will host an event for sixth-grade students from local schools. The event will begin at 10:00 with a speech from Mayor Miguel Gómez Herrero about the Cultural Landscape. Diplomas will be awarded to class representatives, and commemorative gifts will be presented to school directors. Students will also receive a commemorative pen for the anniversary. The day will include a theatrical performance by the 2050 Association, focusing on the Cultural Landscape of Aranjuez, and will last approximately two hours.
The anniversary programme will continue in the afternoon at 17:30 in the Juan de Villanueva Room of the Isabel de Farnesio Cultural Centre, featuring the award ceremony for a photography competition for young people and those over 65, along with the inauguration of an exhibition.
Registration and participation
Prior registration is required for the guided and theatrical tours, which will be available until all places are filled. Interested individuals can register by calling the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape Foundation at 91 892 43 86, extension 1311. Registration hours are from 09:00 to 13:00, with specific periods for each tour:
- Tour on 21 November: 13 to 20 November
- Tour on 28 November: 20 to 27 November
- Tours on 5 December: 27 November to 4 December
- Tour on 12 December: 1 to 11 December
Through this programme, the town hall of Aranjuez and the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape Foundation aim to engage the community with the values underpinning this designation, promote awareness and appreciation of local heritage, and celebrate an anniversary that is integral to the history and identity of Aranjuez.
