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All Spain Madrid Muslim Walls of Madrid
AO Edited

Muslim Walls of Madrid

Among the oldest structures in Madrid, these Moorish walls once guarded the medieval city of Mayrit.

Madrid, Spain

Added By
Vamsi Krishna
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The Muslim Walls.   José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro/cc by-sa 3.0
The walls against the Almudena Cathedral.   Vamsi Krishna / Atlas Obscura User
Red bricks and limestone.   Vamsi Krishna / Atlas Obscura User
Apartment block on the walls.   Vamsi Krishna / Atlas Obscura User
Closeup of the walls.   Vamsi Krishna / Atlas Obscura User
Sign for the park.   Vamsi Krishna / Atlas Obscura User
View of the wall   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
The wall and behind, the cathedral   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Close to the wall   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Restos de la muralla islámica   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
Part of what’s left of the Muslim wall in Madrid   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
Corredor into the wall   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
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The remains of the Muslim Walls of Madrid (Muralla Islamica de Madrid) are among the oldest structures in the city. The ruins date back to the 9th century, when Muslims controlled the Iberian peninsula.

King Emir Muhammad I, the ruler of Cordoba at that time, ordered the walls built to fortify the Muslim citadel in the medieval city of Mayrit, as Madrid was then called. What remains of the old walls can be found today in his namesake park, Parque de Emir Mohamed. The former site of the old citadel is now home to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real).

The limestone and red brick construction of the walls, typical of Moorish architecture, is immediately recognizable in the ruins. Although a part of the structure has been lost to the construction of an apartment block, some sections were preserved after the site was declared a National Monument in 1954.

A fairly large portion of the ancient structure is still visible, giving a glimpse into the Muslim roots of Madrid, centuries before it became the capital of Spain.

Related Tags

Medieval Ruins Walls History Royalty Parks

Know Before You Go

The ruins of the Muslim Walls, also known as the Arab Walls (Muralla Árabe), are located in Parque de Emir Mohamed near the Royal Palace, right across from the crypt of Almudena Cathedral.

The park is only open on weekends and holidays, but you can still see the walls from outside the wrought-iron fence. Spanish-language plaques in the park give information about the history of the site.

The closest Metro station is Opera and is connected by lines 2 and 5. The walls are located about 700 meters (about a half mile) from there. The closest bus stop is Palacio Real and you can get there by buses 3, 31, 41, 50, and 65; walk about 110 meters (360 feet) to get to the site.

As a bonus, the walls are now home to a large family of stray cats!

Community Contributors

Added By

Vamsi Krishna

Edited By

poppyoana, Meg, Luis Morato, Xavixavir

  • poppyoana
  • Meg
  • Luis Morato
  • Xavixavir

Published

August 7, 2018

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Muslim Walls of Madrid
1 Cuesta Ramón
Madrid
Spain
40.414891, -3.714539
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