In the 18th century, Madrid pulsed with the ambition of a historic dream. The Cuarta Esclusa del Real Canal de Manzanares stands as a testament to this vision. The Bourbons yearned to make the Manzanares River navigable. The Cuarta Esclusa, or Fourth Lock, played a vital role in this grand scheme. The Real Canal del Manzanares, as it was known, was more than just a waterway. It represented a desire to connect Madrid to the broader world, to facilitate trade and transport.
The initial plans for navigating the Manzanares River trace back to 1580. This was when Philip II ascended to the Portuguese throne. Juan Bautista Antonelli, a renowned engineer, calculated the requirements for this ambitious endeavor. The dream was vast, envisioning a connection between Madrid and Lisbon. The route would pass through Vaciamadrid, Aranjuez, Toledo along the Tagus River, and finally reach the Atlantic Ocean in Lisbon. Antonelli even managed to navigate the Tagus, Jarama, and Manzanares rivers, reaching the royal court with surveys and measurements. The cost, however, proved prohibitive.
The project stalled, plagued by financial constraints and landowner resistance. The dream wouldn’t be revived until 1770. King Carlos III expropriated the surrounding lands and initiated the costly project, funded by the Crown. Due to technical and budgetary hurdles, the navigable section initially reached only the eighth lock at Cañada Real Galiana, starting from the embarcadero beneath Puente de Toledo. A company with 300 shares was established, granted permission to build mills and hydraulic machines at the locks to generate revenue. This wasn’t enough, and the Crown provided additional funding to reach the eighth lock.
The Cuarta Esclusa del Real Canal de Manzanares wasn’t just a functional element of the canal; it became a place of royal intrigue and leisure. King Fernando VII continued the construction of locks towards Vaciamadrid between 1818 and 1830. He even established a residence near the Cuarta Esclusa. The canal thrived during this period, buzzing with stories from both the palace and the populace. As navigation neared completion, funds dwindled just as the Aranjuez train line opened in 1851. The train offered greater efficiency and economic viability, leading to the gradual decline of the canal.
The Cuarta Esclusa del Real Canal de Manzanares remains the most striking remnant of this ambitious undertaking. The lock keeper’s house stands in relatively good condition. Traces of the fifth, sixth, and seventh locks remain, while the eighth lock’s sturdy bridge is still intact. The ninth and tenth locks hold the potential for complete restoration. The Cuarta Esclusa stands as a reminder of a time when Madrid dreamt of connecting with the world through the waters of the Manzanares. A dream that, although unfulfilled, left an indelible mark on the landscape and the history of the city.