May 19, 2025

Parque Emir Mohamed I Madrid

Hidden Islamic roots

"Beside the Almudena Cathedral lies Parque del Emir Mohamed I, home to Madrid’s oldest Arab wall — a quiet, powerful reminder of the city’s Muslim roots."

Just beside the Almudena Cathedral, the Parque del Emir Mohamed I is a place where history quietly reshapes our image of Madrid. Though often overlooked, this park holds one of the city's most important archaeological treasures: the best-preserved remains of the original Arab wall that once enclosed Mayrit, the early Islamic settlement that gave birth to our city.

Walking through the park, you're not only surrounded by its tranquility next to the center, you're also stepping into the oldest layers of the city. The wall, dating back to the 9th century, is a silent witness to the Muslim origin of Madrid, a story that that remains unknown. Its presence challenges the usual image of Madrid as a purely Christian and Habsburg city, reminding us that the city's identity is woven from multiple cultural threads.

The park is modest in size, but is location makes it a unique stop: right next to the cathedral, the Royal Palace, and the Campo del Moro gardens. Surrounded by grand monuments, it offers a rare moment of quiet reflection.

I find it specially powerful to visit at dusk, when the light falls gently on the stone ruins and see a panoramic view of the city's suburbs.

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Parque Emir Mohamed

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