Vegetable garden

Hortaleza is one of the 21 districts that make up the city of Madrid. Located to the northeast of the municipality, it includes the old municipality of Hortaleza and part of Canillas, both annexed to the capital by separate decrees of 1949. The neighborhoods of the district are: Pinar del Rey, Canillas, Valdefuentes, Apóstol Santiago, Piovera and pigeons. In the neighborhood of Pinar del Rey is the historic center of Villa de Hortaleza.

It has a population of 189,592 inhabitants in an area of 2,801 hectares. Its adjective is hortalino. It limits with the districts of Barajas, San Blas-Canillejas, Ciudad Lineal and Fuencarral-El Pardo, and with the municipality of Alcobendas.

History

Origin

The first data on human activity in the area refer to the existence of a nomadic or semi-nomadic population in remote Paleolithic and Neolithic times, as attested by the findings of numerous prehistoric tools in deposits located in the Valdebebas stream and in the same historical center of Hortaleza, which were discovered, at the end of the last century, by the archaeologist D. Javier Pastor Muñoz.

The current neighborhood of Hortaleza develops from the nucleus of the old town of Hortaleza, located on the hill formed by the divide between the Manzanares and Jarama rivers. The town was watered by the Valdebebas and Abroñigal rivers. Its foundation most likely dates back to the 13th century. There is already news of it in a letter from 1361. It is believed that its origin comes from Mozarabs from Madrid who use it to spend the summer

There are references in the Relations of Felipe II in 1579. In these relations Hortaleza is spoken of as an old place and dependent on the town of Canillas, at least, in the minimum services. Since the residents were baptized and buried there until the first parish church was built around 1535. Although it is popularly believed that the name Hortaleza comes from the abundant vegetables that were produced in the area and that supplied the markets of the capital, the The term is a derivation of the word "fortress" which is how it appears in the list of villas belonging to the Alfoz de Madrid. There is no news of any defensive construction, but its situation, on a hillock from which the Alcázar of Madrid could be seen, and the strategic distance of one league that separated it from the capital, suggest the existence of some kind of watchtower dependent on the "almudayna" from Madrid.

Madrid jurisdiction

At the end of the s. XVI Hortaleza passed to the jurisdiction of the town of Madrid, limited to the east by the town of Barajas; that of Canillas to the south; Chamartín to the west; and Alcobendas to the north. At this time, Hortaleza had a population of 96 neighbors (about 400 inhabitants), poor harvests due to the poor quality of the land^{[citation required]}. For this reason, the inhabitants had to resort to sources of extraordinary income, such as baking bread or washing other people's clothes.

The appearance of the town was very poor. It was characterized by poor quality land^{[citation needed]}, the existence of small orchards, pastures and forest areas. The town did not have important buildings, and the large houses were made of adobe and mud, their structure was made of wood, mainly pine, and the roofs were made of clay tiles, all materials that were bought in Madrid.

Debacle and resurgence

From the s. XVII there are no data, but everything suggests that there is a decline in population, which follows the general trend that occurred throughout the country. Indeed, in 1725, well into the s. XVIII, the registered population was 54 neighbors (about 250 inhabitants).

However, from then on Hortaleza will begin its development. The population is increasing considerably due to the immigration of people close to the Court, the number of neighbors will increase to 160 (about 725 inhabitants) by the end of the century. On the other hand, the area of land used for crops increases, although cereal production continues to dominate, but some vines can already be seen, although not of great importance. In 1756, the Land Registry of the Marqués de la Ensenada listed 7.5 hectares dedicated to orchards.^{[citation required]}

Start of urban transformation

Alcorisa Street Building 41

Avenida de Francisco Pi and Margall and Mirador building to the background

In the XIX century, the fundamental factor in the growth and development of Hortaleza is its proximity to Madrid, especially as consumer center of products produced in Hortaleza, as the demand for these products will increase throughout the season.

The most significant aspect of the 19th century will be the appearance of an incipient industrialization derived from agriculture: the production of bread and the manufacture of wines and spirits. Pascual Madoz indicates the existence of a Chocolate Mill in Hortaleza.

Cultivated area increases; Being the land of average quality and thanks to the secular mastery of the farmers, abundant cereal harvests are obtained, of an excellent class, awarded at international fairs. The traditional orchard of the place and the vineyards continue to be cultivated, the latter giving rise to the production of muscatel wines, and the famous "Garnacho de Hortaleza". Most of the land is in the hands of the large owners (aristocracy, church and bourgeois lords) with the surface belonging to small and medium-sized farmers being a minority, which causes numerous residents to work in Madrid. We must highlight the role of women in trade with the capital. At this time there is an improvement in the urban landscape, in which summer farms continue to be built by the inhabitants of the Villa de Madrid. The Madoz Dictionary counts 137 houses, in addition to the Church of San Matías, a butcher shop, a tavern and a primary school.

Despite everything, the population will not increase significantly in this century. In 1820 it had 606 inhabitants; in 1850, 372 perhaps due to the ravages of wars; to, at the end of the century, in 1897, have 811 inhabitants. In the 1910 census, Hortaleza had 185 buildings. It belonged to the Judicial Party of Colmenar Viejo and was separated from Madrid by 10 km. In the 1920 census it had 841 inhabitants. The evolution continues in the XX century with a population increase proportional to that which occurs throughout the country. The agrarian economy remains in the general lines that it had until now, that is, with a predominance of the family economy (small plots and family property). Industry is scarce and subsidiary to agriculture, although in 1905 there was a carpentry, a clay factory, a hardware store and three blacksmith shops. From Calle del Pinar, the Hortaleza road was not yet built in 1910. On its left bank stands the neighborhood of Arrabal del Carmen, where the Colegio de la Inmaculada is currently located.

Second Spanish Republic

On April 12, 1931, municipal elections were held in Spain, which led to the end of the reign of Alfonso XIII. In Hortaleza, as in the rest of the municipalities, a Republican Municipal Management Commission was appointed until the call for new elections on April 20, 1931, with Rafael Ortega López being elected mayor. His tenure was characterized by the difficulties that existed due to the worker's strike, the problem with the water supply and the conflicts with the church. As an attempt to alleviate the worker strike, the municipal laundry on Mar de Kara Street was projected.

In the municipal elections of 1933, Rafael Ortega López was again elected, who later resigned, being replaced by Jonás Aragoneses Molpeceres, who in turn resigned, and Andrés Molpeceres Barceló was elected. After the change of national government with the arrival of the conservative government, the mayor was dismissed after the participation of the Hortaleza City Council in the General Strike of 1934, being appointed by the Civil Governor Mariano Morales de la Fuente.

However, Andrés Molpeceres returned to the mayoralty after the decision of the new national government of the Popular Front resulting from the general elections of 1936 that forced the reinstatement of the municipal representatives prior to the dismissal of 1934.

Civil War

During the Civil War, Hortaleza was close to the front line within Republican territory and its government was run by a so-called Salvation Council made up of members of the PSOE and the PCE. In the proximities the General Headquarters of the Junta de Defensa de Madrid is installed.

There is evidence of the quartering of the 11th division of the army of the Second Republic under the command of General Enrique Líster.

Expansion during the great rural migration

Park of the old cemetery of the village, with the hermitage of the Soledad.

It is in the middle of the century when a true transformation of the territory takes place. In the fifties two satellite towns were projected, one in the surroundings of the Casa de las Manoteras and another in Canillas. These new neighborhoods were built to absorb the immigrant population settled in the area, forming suburbs. Subsequently, they were expanded with the Directed Settlements, of higher quality than the previous ones and intended for the new emigrants who arrived en masse from the rural areas of Spain. It is also at this time when the luxury urbanization “Parque Conde de Orgaz” appears and, along the old Hortaleza road, the “Pinar del Rey” neighborhood.

Church of Hortaleza

In the 1960s, the UVA de Hortaleza project, an acronym for Neighborhood Absorption Unit, stands out for its urban and architectural quality. This neighborhood is accompanied at its birth by those of San Lorenzo-Colombia, El Carmen, Orisa, San Miguel, Parque de Santa María and La Piovera. From the 1970s are Virgen del Cortijo, Esperanza, Villarosa, Cárcavas-San Antonio and the El Bosque neighborhood.

Despite this excessive growth, Hortaleza kept the countryside that stretched as far as Monte de la Moraleja and along the Arroyo de Rejas almost intact. Throughout this term you could find cereal crops, Garnacha grape vineyards, orchards with fruit trees in the Valdebebas Stream and springs such as La Mora, La Teja or Los Cenagales”.

Contemporary growth and consolidation

Buildings in the neighborhood of Canillas

Avenida Manuel Azaña

Mirador Building in Sanchinarro (2005)

It is in the 1990s when the district definitively loses its rural landscape and the expansions of Los Llanos, Arroyo del Santo and Sanchinarro appear. The latter is the most important due to its population and its architectural landmarks, including the Mirador building. The demographic increase is accompanied by a decrease in the rural function, since the extension of crops is reduced, since the land is sold in the form of plots. Given the decline in agriculture, there was a boom in livestock, especially cattle, depending on the needs of the capital. In 1960 there were 155 industrial posts in Hortaleza itself. The commerce was reduced to the next nuclei.

The massive arrival of population after the incorporation to the capital, however, means the end of Hortaleza as a town and the gradual disappearance of the old houses, farms and infrastructures that gave it its own identity. The last classical buildings were demolished during the first years of the XXI century, leaving only the centennial Church of San Matías standing, the former Convent and College of the Padres Paules and the Cemetery, property of a religious order; and the S.F.J. Cabrini.

Improvement of transport infrastructures

At the turn of the century, the Canillas, San Lorenzo, Mar de Cristal and Parque de Santa María Metro stations were inaugurated. In 2007, the metro station called Pinar del Rey was opened, with a direct link to the Madrid-Barajas Airport. Finally, in the context of the economic crisis at the end of 2009, the veteran bus line 201 was suppressed. However, a commuter station, Fuente de la Mora, was opened again in 2011, some distance from the old station. from Hortaleza that was never used for travelers, to the west.

This district is also home to the PAU de Sanchinarro (the Mirador Building being a symbol of it) and the development of Valdebebas, already partially inhabited and under continuous construction, where the Real Madrid Sports City is located. be the City of Justice, homes, offices, a shopping center and the Valdebebas-Felipe VI Forest Park (opening in April 2015).

Hortaleza has gone from being a town in the 1940s to a somewhat poorly communicated district in the center of Madrid until the 1990s, with several metro stops (lines 4 and 8), highways such as the M- 11 and M-40 and numerous large shopping centers.

Architecture

Church of San Matías, view from the square of the Church

The Silo of Hortaleza

One of the most notable buildings in this town was the Isabel Clara Eugenia Campus, originally the summer residence of the Duke of Frías. In the same compound as the Hogar de Isabel Clara Eugenia, is the Old Novitiate of the Sagrada Familia, in Neo-Mudejar style, built around 1880.

At the start of Calle del Mar de las Antillas, we find the park of the "Huerta de la Salud". In it, in addition to the old door of the Quinta of the same name (1749), some buildings of what was an agricultural industry, founded at the beginning of the XX by Don Pedro Tovar, senior notary of the Kingdom.

The Silo de Hortaleza stands out among all of them. Together with El Granero and El Palomar (disappeared in the 1970s), this polygonal tower formed a monumental shortlist that caused great admiration among visitors to the town. It is said that from the viewpoint of El Palomar the Puerta del Sol was distinguished and where at the top, over many years, there were numerous stork nests that announced to the residents of Hortaleza the arrival of spring.

On Liberation Street that led to the Armed Police Academy was the House-Palace of the Marqueses of Santa Cruz, the house where General Quesada was arrested and killed, who fled there after the La Granja's pronouncement in 1836.

Next to Calle de Mar de Bering stands the church of San Matías, converted into a parish in 1770. It was rebuilt at the initiative of the Princess of Asturias after the collapse of the original church. By the architect Enrique María Repullés y Vargas, it is in the neo-Mudéjar style (late 19th century), completed in 1879. It is a church with a single nave, 29 meters long by 12 meters wide, whose Main Chapel occupies 30 m². To your right, in the same square, stands the Convento de los Padres Paules, inaugurated in 1934. Still in the XXI century retains its activity.

In front of the head of the church, already on the outskirts of the town, is the cemetery, which preserves its brick wall very similar to that of the Church. Inside, a part of the end of the 19th century remains.

In Uría street, once the separator between Hortaleza and Manoteras, there was a small church that can be considered the precedent of the current Virgen del Castillo Parish.

John Paul II Park

Located between the Pinar de Barajas, Av. del Papa Negro, de las Piceas, de los Andes and the M-40, is the Juan Pablo II public park.

The park is made up of 5 integrated areas. On April 10, 2008, three of the five phases that comprise it were inaugurated: the Contemplative Area, the Mediterranean Area and the Recreational Area, all three occupying a total of 14 ha.

The Contemplative Area, also called the Garden of Life, is structured from the so-called Plaza de la Vida, where the sundial with the largest diameter in the Community of Madrid is located, whose gnomon is made of a single block granite. It is called like this, because the sun is understood as one of the bases of life. A series of canals emerge from this square that make up the park, where we can find more than 40 species of fruit trees. Within this area we can find 10 sculptures by different Spanish sculptors, including Miguel Berrocal.

The Mediterranean Area is representative of the historical evolution of Mediterranean gardening. It is home to the Jardín en Flor, the Granado garden, the Acebuche Paradise and the Breveras garden.

The play area is an area dedicated to entertainment, which has several children's areas distributed by age, a skill circuit for bicycles, picnic areas and a recreation area.

Phases IV and V are scheduled to open this October 2017 and will be:

• The Garden of Senses, so that everyone, including visually impaired, can enjoy the gardens.
• The can path that is a canine training center that the City of Madrid has ceded to the Eleven to train dogs guide.

Most civilizations have understood gardens not as simple vegetable masses, but under the concept that the garden is the architecture of the soul and therefore, the garden and the multiple elements that make it up such as canals, pools, etc, have been of great importance to them.

Neighborhoods

districts of Hortaleza

It consists of the following municipal neighborhoods:

• Palomas (16.1): with a population of 5,227 inhabitants includes the Colonia Piovera and the neighborhood Arroyo del Santo, all separated from the rest of the district by the Pinar de Barajas and the Avenida de los Andes.
• La Piovera (16.2): with a population of 13,740 inhabitants includes the Conde de Orgaz Urbanization and the newly built homes located south of Silvano Street and north of the Andes Avenue.
• Canillas (16.3): with a population of 44,861 inhabitants it encompasses much of what was the town of Canillas before its accession to Madrid in 1949.
• Pinar del Rey (16.4): with a population of 58,998 inhabitants includes the old town of Hortaleza, the neighborhoods of San Lorenzo and Santa Maria and the U.V.A. de Hortaleza.
• Apostle Santiago (16.5): with 16,212 inhabitants, includes what was the town of Manoteras belonging to the municipality of Hortaleza.
• Valdefuentes (16.6): with 14,810 inhabitants, it includes industrial areas such as Virgen del Cortijo and areas of recent urbanization such as the PAU de Sanchinarro and the new PAU de Valdebebas.

Education

A street in Valdebebas (October 2013)

Old church of Canillas, built at the end of the century XVII.

Preschool, primary and secondary education

In the district of Hortaleza, there are 46 nurseries (5 public and 41 private), 14 public schools for infant and primary education , 6 secondary education institutes, 15 private schools (with and without concert) and 6 foreign centers.

Transportation

Madrid commuter trains

The district has two Cercanías stations, in Fuente de la Mora and Valdebebas (C-1 and C-10).

Madrid Metro and Light Metro

The main communication axes of the district are metro lines 4 and 8:

• Line 4 makes a quite wide tour of the district, serving the stations of Arturo Soria, Esperanza, Canillas, Mar de Cristal, San Lorenzo, Parque de Santa María, Hortaleza and Manoteras.
• Line 5 serves the Palomas neighborhood at Canillejas station.
• Line 8 circulates under the Gran Via de Hortaleza and has stations in Pinar del Rey and Mar de Cristal.
• The ML1 line serves Sanchinarro and Virgen del Cortijo with the stops Fuente de la Mora, Virgen del Cortijo, Antonio Saura, Álvarez de Villaamil, Blasco Ibáñez and María Tudor.

Buses

Buses are very useful in this district as it has areas that are too far from the metro. The lines that circulate through the district are:

Media

The district of Hortaleza has had a community radio station, Radio Enlace, since 1989, which broadcasts on 107.5 FM and over the Internet. Its informative spaces review the news of the district on a daily basis, and they also broadcast the full plenary sessions held at the Municipal District Board.

There is also a news portal on the internet, Hortaleza en Red, and since 2008 Hortaleza Periódico Vecinal has been published, a free bimonthly publication with a circulation of 10,000 copies that is distributed by businesses throughout the district. Both the portal and the newspaper are managed by neighborhood associations and groups.

Politics

The number of members of the Municipal Board of the District is determined by the Town Hall Plenary. It usually changes every four years depending on the agreements of the Plenary of the City Council between the different political groups that compose it. According to the agreement of September 16, 2015 of the Plenary of the City Council, each Municipal District Board was integrated in the mandate between 2015 and 2019 by a councilor-president and 25 members, 9 corresponding to the Popular Party and Ahora Madrid, 4 to the Partido Spanish Socialist Worker and 3rd Citizens-Party of Citizenship. Councilors or neighboring members. A vice-president is designated among the council members.

By agreement of the Plenary of the City Council on September 25, 2019, the new composition of the Municipal District Boards was determined, which are made up of a President Councilor and 30 members, councilors or residents, 2 corresponding to the Municipal Vox Group, 4 to the Socialist Municipal Group, 6 to the Ciudadanos Municipal Group, 8 to the Popular Party Municipal Group, and 10 to the Mas Madrid Municipal Group. Each Political Group appoints a spokesperson as well as a deputy spokesperson. The current composition of the Municipal Board of Hortaleza is as follows:

Results of the parties in the General Elections