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Home , El Escorial

Tourist trains bound for ’s World Heritage

Three trains, Three eras, Three destinations.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and Alcalá de Henares are all located less than 50 kilometres (31 miles) away from Madrid’s city centre. The three towns were declared World Heritage Sites by Unesco, which means that their landscape, architecture and traditions are unique and based on universal values. They are international points of reference and great examples of our planet’s cultural diversity. Taking a historical train from Madrid to visit these towns is an original way to learn about their past and to discover their surroundings. An authentic journey back in time that will make your visit an absolutely unique experience. These trains are singular not only because of their design, but also because they offer touristic and educational activities to show us the railway’s past and present. It was the mode of transport that opened modernity with the communications revolution. At the time, a new era was ahead. Now, they are an invitation to learn about our past. Are you willing of progress Strawberries, palaces Philip II Train Strawberry Train Cervantes Train A new type of building emerges and and literature to travel in time? becomes part of 19th century cities and The Tren de la Fresa was so named Mountains and the Bound for the palacein timber Knights adventures in villages skyline: train stations. Sites when it was opened in 1851 since it wagons the city of letters Let’s get started! DEPARTURE made of iron that put the novelties of transported strawberries (fresas in 21st century • ESTACIÓN DE PRÍNCIPE PÍO engineering on display and that thanks Spanish) that were grown on the Tagus DEPARTURE DEPARTURE 21st century • ESTACIÓN DE PRÍNCIPE PÍO 21st century • ESTACIÓN DE ATOCHA The pioneer’s time to their exquisite decoration were con- and the Jarama riverbeds. It was the DESTINATION Late 16th century · SAN LORENZO DE sidered real palaces. The big buildings second railway in the Iberian Peninsula, DESTINATION DESTINATION The first train travellers knew that those EL ESCORIAL* welcomed and distributed the it connected Madrid and Aranjuez and Mid 19th century · REAL SITIO DE ARANJUEZ Begining of the 17th century · ALCALÁ DE rails would make progress possible. HENARES passengers. it was frequently used by the aristocracy Journeys that took weeks on a horse Travel companions: Philip the Second! The This is the case of the Estación de in their outings to the countryside. Travel companions: Great Madrid’s bourgeoi- carriage were down to a few hours by builder of the -monastery, the very same Travel companions: Miguel de Cervantes, the Atocha, that is today considered a work The Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El sie who travels to Aranjuez to enjoy the Royal train. The ability to transport people King of the at its height where Price of Wit and author of Don Quixote, toge- of art of railway architecture. Or the Escorial, a colossal building built in the Palace gardens and other charms, and the and goods that fast was unprecedented “the sun never set”.. ther with characters from his novels. Estación del Norte —today Príncipe middle of Guadarrama mountains was farmers offering their products. and a great progress. The times were During the journey: You will enjoy the beauty During the journey: Poetry, theatre and sense of Pío—, strategically located nearby the best destination for 19th century tra- During the journey: Tasting of strawberries moving towards the future. of landscape, the train’s singularity and a fun humour! You will personally meet Don Quixote Madrid’s Royal Palace so that the King vellers in love with adventure and mys- from Aranjuez and beautiful landscapes. Be who will make you laugh with his craziness. Everything changed with the train, and Queen could easily use it. Another and entertaining history lesson. enthralled by the soft train rattle! tery with a romantic perspective. The In Alcalá you will see: Alcalá de Henares which moreover became the symbol for example is Aranjuez old station that had In San Lorenzo de El Escorial you will see:The In Aranjuez you will see: The Royal Palace, Tren de Felipe II is ideal to experience historical town center, the Colegio Mayor de the wish for adventure. The clattering, an exclusive branch for the Crown that Royal Site, the Bosque de Felipe II (La Herrería, the Jardín del Rey (King’s Garden), Jardines that kind of excitement San Ildefonso (the old University), the Corral de whistling and the locomotive’s smoke directly led to the Puerta de Damas (a a forest) and the Jardines del Fraile (the Palace del Príncipe (the Prince’s Gardens) and the The arrival of the railways to Alcalá Comedias (a 17th century theatre), the Catedral changed the way people travelled and Gardens). Parterre (Flower Garden), together with the door to the Palace). Legend has it that de Henares in 1859 helped the city’s de los Santos Niños, the Museo de la Casa discovered new and unique landscapes. Fun fact: The Monastery has more than 4,000 Museo de las Falúas (Museum of Longboats), those tracks were forged in silver. revival and its great cultural heritage Natal de Cervantes (Cervantes Birth House Madrid’s citizens and those from rooms, 2,673 windows, 1,250 doors, 45,000 its historical center, wineries and the Tagus was rediscovered. Today, the Tren de Museum). Don’t miss the Museo Arqueológico other big capitals were amazed at these books and 1,600 paintings. riverside. Cervantes invites us to get to know the Regional: Madrid’s history will impress you. steam engines that rushed through the All aboard! You will love it if you like: Natural landscapes, Breaking news: On the third saturday of May, great past of this City of Knowledge Fun fact: Alcalá’s Corral de Comedias is one of fields in record time. What would be historical buildings and big monuments. during the Aranjuez Ancient Festival, the Anyone who gets on one of Madrid tou- were the author of Don Quixote, a the oldest in Europe. Throughout its history it next? Maybe flying? Train will have a special schedule and activities. rist trains today can feel like those early masterpiece of the world’s literature, has been a theatre, a museum, a cinema, and * Bus transfer from El Escorial train station You will love it if you like: Romantic strolls, old then again, a theatre! Just like the one in 1605. passengers. Historical locomotives, wa- was born. time picnics and strawberries with home- You will love it if you like: Knights tales, poetry gons and seats made of wood, guillotine While travelling on these trains, made cream. windows and balconies on the ends. many characters from our times and and charming towns. At our pioneers pace we will con- from past times will come with us. template trees, plants, birds, geology Miguel de Cervantes or King Philip the Information and ticket sales and towns full of history. In short, a Second will tell modern travellers what wonderful heritage and landscape is was their life like back then. Listen Tren de Felipe II - Philip II Train waiting for us in Madrid’s region. carefully, look closely and enjoy the Telephone sale: 91 020 07 82 taste of local products that kind locals www.trendefelipeii.com will offer us. Tren de la Fresa - Strawberry Train Tren de Cervantes - Cervantes Train In railway stations with advance sale facility In stations with Madrid Commuter Network Renfe telephone sale: 91 232 03 20 ticket office www.renfe.com In automatic ticket vending machines sustainable forests. Madrid Region. Legal Deposit: M-35166-2017. Paper coming from Tourism. for the Directorate-General of / Archive © Ruiz Polo Photos: www.renfe.com