Cimientos de la antigua Casa del Renegado o Casilla Divisoria de Cuarteles

Beneath our feet lie the whispers of the Cimientos de la antigua Casa del Renegado o Casilla Divisoria de Cuarteles. This place, also known as Casilla Divisoria de Cuarteles, holds a story as fragmented as the foundation stones themselves. Originally, this structure served a practical purpose. It was a watch post dividing the Rodajos and Torrecilla barracks. Its placement near the south wall, between the Término and Venta Gates, offered a strategic view. The construction of the Cimientos de la antigua Casa del Renegado o Casilla Divisoria de Cuarteles dates back to the reign of Joseph I. His obsession with security within the Casa de Campo led to a reconfiguration of the barracks. Despite its age, its secluded location meant it was often overlooked in official records. The first documented mention dates to 1834, referencing it as “Casilla de la División de Cuarteles”. It wasn’t until 1860 that it appeared on a map, labeled “Casa Divisoria de Cuarteles”. However, the family who resided there gave it its enduring name. The family, descendants of former captives known as “Renegados”, ultimately transformed its identity into the Casa del Renegado. These “Renegados” had a compelling history. Freed by the Trinitarian Order after paying a ransom, they were obligated to repay the debt upon their return to Spain. This involved renouncing their adopted Muslim faith. Despite this renunciation, they continued to bear the label “Renegados”. They lived and worked in a state of semi-slavery until their debt was settled, their movements restricted within the Casa de Campo. The Cimientos de la antigua Casa del Renegado o Casilla Divisoria de Cuarteles stood witness to their struggle. During the Spanish Civil War, the abandoned Casa del Renegado became occupied by rebel troops. Although in the rearguard, it gained unexpected notoriety during the Operation Garabitas, serving as a reference point. Its ruins, a consequence of war and neglect, remained visible until the early 1980s. The mound we see today marks the location of its foundations. Interestingly, archaeological remnants reveal habitation on this site long before the Casa de Campo’s existence. The reforestation efforts of the 1950s and the construction of the metro line further obscured its location and significance. The Cimientos de la antigua Casa del Renegado o Casilla Divisoria de Cuarteles stand as a silent testament to a complex past. They echo the stories of forgotten families and a king’s obsession with security. They whisper of war and neglect, a history fragmented yet enduring.