Puerta de Rodajos

Gazing up at the Puerta de Rodajos, can you sense the echoes of history whispering through its stones? This grand gateway, an entrance to Madrid’s sprawling Casa de Campo park, holds more tales than its imposing structure suggests. Puerta de Rodajos isn’t just a gate. It’s a portal through time, connecting us to the rich tapestry of Madrid’s past. The current gate, designed by architect Manuel Herrero Palacios, was erected in 1969. Its twin, the Puerta de la Vereda Vieja, stands nearby, a testament to Palacios’s vision. But the story of the Puerta de Rodajos begins long before 1969. Records from the 15th century refer to a “puerta de Rodajo,” hinting at the area’s division into small landholdings, or “rodajos.” Some believe the name comes from Diego de Rodajo, who supposedly sold the land to the King while the name remained. In 1767, under the watchful eye of architect Francesco Sabatini, workers constructed a stone gate near the Casa de Rodajos. This wasn’t necessarily the first gate on this spot. The nearby Portillo de los Pinos and Portillera del Batán are mentioned in records from 1744, suggesting earlier access points. The original gate likely differed significantly from the one we see today. After the Spanish Civil War, the gate lay in ruins. It was reconstructed in 1956, but soon deemed too small. This led to Palacios’s grand design in 1969. The Puerta de Rodajos served as a crucial link between the Casa de Campo and the Venta de la Rubia, home to the Sociedad de la Caza Madrileña since 1880. The area itself, known as Rodajo or Rodajos, existed outside the Casa de Campo’s boundaries. It was a distinct place, bordered by Carabanchel Alto, Prado del Rey, Húmera, and Somosaguas. The Camino de Rodajos provided access from Madrid through the Casa de Campo. Just inside the old gate stood the Guarda’s house and the Guardia Civil barracks, which included nine rooms, three outbuildings, and livestock pens, housing the guards and their families. Behind the barracks stood the Church of the Inmaculada, also known as the Church of Rodajos, which operated until 1877. Nestled among these buildings was the Casa de Rodajos. Down the path to the right, a small enclosure housed the Pozo de Rodajos, a well known for its salty water. Today, a restaurant stands in its place. In 2003, with the partial closure of the Casa de Campo to traffic, the Puerta de Rodajos became a pedestrian gateway. In 2010, coinciding with the Casa de Campo’s designation as a Bien de Interés Cultural, the asphalt of the Vereda Vieja, originating at the Glorieta de la Encina de Trillo, was removed. This restoration returned the path to its traditional appearance. The Puerta de Rodajos stands as more than just a passage. It’s a symbol of Madrid’s ever-evolving history, a testament to the layers of stories embedded within the landscape. As you pass through, remember the families who lived here, the guards who patrolled, the travelers who sought passage. Their echoes remain, woven into the very fabric of this historic gate.