Imagine a small triangular fortress before you. This is La Batería o Fortín. It stands as an original decorative element. Are you ready to step back in time and uncover its secrets?
La Batería o Fortín is part of El Capricho Park. The park itself is a historical artistic garden. It spans 14 hectares. The Duchess of Osuna ordered its construction between 1787 and 1839. She unfortunately died before it was finished.
Originally, a fortified tower stood here in the early 19th century. The current fortín likely dates back to the same period as the Casino de Baile. Antonio López Aguado is believed to have designed it.
Picture this fortín in its prime. A sentry stood guard in a garita. This soldier was not a statue but a real person. He was armed and ready. Twelve bronze cannons added to the defense. A wooden drawbridge spanned the moat. The moat is still present today. The fortín’s purpose? War games.
Historical records paint a vivid picture. An inventory from 1829 lists the fortín’s contents. These included a fine wooden table, twelve chairs with painted straw seats, and the garita. The soldier was fully dressed and armed. Further records mention payments for a wig for the soldier in 1814. There were also notes about gunpowder for him in 1817.
Pascual Madoz described the fortín in detail in 1845. He noted its bastions, fixed and drawbridges, and surrounding moat. He described twelve artillery pieces of various sizes, ammunition chests, weapons, a flagpole, and other necessities for defense. To the right, you will see the Casa del Artillero. This small structure appears deliberately ruined. The intention was to simulate a bombing. It would seem that it was bombed from the bater\u00eda o fort\u00edn.
The Ruin or House of the Artilleryman stands next to the fortín. It simulates an abandoned building. It represents the fleeting nature of things. It also introduces the presence of death. This contrasts with the vibrant life and nature throughout the garden.
This triangular structure completes the promenade through the ría. It offers a glimpse into the past. Its design and purpose reflect the aristocratic tastes of the time. Take a moment to appreciate La Batería o Fortín. Think about the games and displays that once unfolded here. The fortín is more than just a decoration. It is a window into a bygone era.