Running in Madrid: the city of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree

A global city and the capital of Spain, Madrid was founded in the 9th century, before becoming one of Southern Europe’s leading financial centres. Modern buildings stand alongside neoclassical structures and medieval ruins. Running in Madrid therefore means admiring the leaning towers of the Puerta de Europa, the Puerta del Sol, and the ruins of the ancient Arab ramparts.

The Bear and the Strawberry Tree, symbols of Madrid

Mayrit means ‘abundance of watercourses’. This was the name given by the Arabs to the plain near the Sierra de Guadarrama, where modern-day Madrid now stands. In the 16th century, Philip II chose this location to establish his court.

However, long before that, in 865, Emir Mohammed I had ordered the construction of a kasbah in the village of Mayrit, on the banks of the River Manzanares. Until 1083, when the city was conquered by Alfonso IV of Castile, Madrid was therefore a Muslim city.

Because of the river’s presence in this otherwise arid region, the town’s first coat of arms bore the motto ‘I was built upon water. My walls are of fire. Such are my insignia and my coat of arms’. Since the 13th century, the city’s symbol has been the bear accompanied by its arbutus tree. You can admire the bronze statue of the bear and its tree, sculpted in the 20th century, in the Puerta del Sol!

Located very close to the geographical centre of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid lies on the Meseta plateau, between 600 and 700 metres above sea level. This makes it the second-highest capital city in Europe, after Andorra la Vella. The city is constantly bustling, with a chaotic atmosphere all of its own. Nevertheless, there are pleasant green spaces where one can relax, as well as magnificent squares and streets lined with splendid monuments, silent witnesses to the various events that have shaped Madrid’s history.

From the Habsburgs to the Bourbons

Despite the strong Moorish presence in the Middle Ages, few traces of Madrid from that period remain, apart from a few ruins of the Arab ramparts, visible on the Cuesta de la Vega. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Habsburg dynasty, in a true spirit of austerity, maintained a sober architectural style in the city. With the king remaining out of public view, Madrid’s palaces and convents, enclosed by walls, reflected this protocol. Around the Plaza Mayor, several buildings from that era still stand, the last vestiges of a humble and secretive Madrid.

In 1701, Philip V, the first of the Spanish Bourbons, arrived in Madrid. He embarked on a major urban renewal programme, transforming a labyrinthine and gloomy city to suit the more extravagant tastes of the European courts of the time. Whether running or walking through Madrid, you will discover, around the Fuente Castellana, several of these magnificent 18th- and 19th-century monuments.

The Cibeles Fountain, in front of the palace of the same name

The Paseo del Brado and the Buen Retiro Palace, built later, are now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. During your visit to Madrid, you will also be able to admire, amongst the buildings from the Bourbon period, the imposing Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, which boasts one of the largest circular bases in Christendom, and the Convent of Salesas Reales, commissioned by Queen Maria Barbara of Portugal as a place of retreat.

Madrid’s culture and sights

Today, Madrid is, above all, a vibrant capital city. As such, it boasts exceptional cultural venues alongside remarkable architectural landmarks, as well as public spaces designed to delight passers-by. These include Atocha station, the oldest in Spain, which is home to a tropical garden!

The Temple of Debod

In the heart of the city, you will also discover the Temple of Debod, an authentic Egyptian temple dating from the 2nd century AD, dedicated to the Egyptian god Amun. It was dismantled and then rebuilt in Madrid in the mid-20th century, as it is one of the many ancient sites saved from destruction when the Aswan High Dam was flooded.

You’ll also pass through the famous Puerta del Sol, a historic square that also marks the starting point for all roads leading out of the capital. During your stroll through Madrid, we’ll then take you to the foot of the Metropolis building, constructed in the early 20th century in the French Beaux-Arts style. Its round tower is covered in thousands of gold leaf!

Madrid skyline

Finally, from a cultural perspective, whilst the Spanish capital has many attractions, Madrid is primarily home to major museums. In particular, its art galleries are among the city’s main tourist attractions. The ‘art triangle’ comprises three leading institutions: the Prado Museum, which boasts one of the world’s finest collections of paintings, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum.

Among the alternative museums, don’t miss the Sweet Space Museum, a truly interactive and innovative experience that explores the concept of taste. Also worth a visit is the IKONO art gallery, which aims to engage the senses – touch, smell and sight – as well as the Museum of Illusions, which will immerse you in a maze of optical illusions!

Modern Madrid

Among the best places to go for a run in Madrid are, for example, the Retiro, Juan Carlos I and Casa de Campo parks. Dotted with green spaces, the city is constantly improving its sustainability and accessibility. As a result, it is now possible to enjoy the Gran Vía, Madrid’s historic thoroughfare, on foot or by bike.

Gran Vía

Madrid Río, a vast recreational and cultural space running alongside the River Manzanares, has recently been restored to its natural state. As a result, it is now home to a surprisingly diverse range of wildlife. Furthermore, a run through the Cuatro Torres Business Area is sure to appeal to fans of futuristic neighbourhoods. We’ll take you around the four skyscrapers that form the heart of Madrid’s business district. These were built on the site of Real Madrid’s former training ground!

Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from Puerta del Sol to Cuatro Torres!

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