The history of the Region is bound to the capital. Although the Arabs and Romans inhabited these lands, it wasn’t until the 13th century when this territory began to acquire some importance. It started during the time of King Felipe the 2nd when the entire region clearly began to develop. The arrival of the Royal Court not only affected the capital but also its surroundings. Furthermore, the good hunting lands and the climate alleviated the bad mood of the nobility on occasions.
The road that linked the villa or Madrid with the Monastery of El Escorial grew, not only to welcome the royal entourage, but also those travelling to the Granja de San Ildefonso, However the northern lands were not only favoured by the coming and going of the aristocrats, but also the southern area. The fertile lands of Aranjuez nourished by the Tagus River quickly attracted the Royal Crown who originally used this place for official purposes only. As time passed small palaces were built around the Palace of Aranjuez and its gardens. The nobility did not want to miss any of the festivities held during the time of Carlos the 4th and Godoy.
But the surroundings of Madrid have also been the witnesses of its history: Aranjuez lived the mutiny of Aranjuez at the end of the reign of Carlos the 4th. Móstoles was one of the first towns to agree to the rebellion against the French; Alcalá de Henares became an important university centre; Paracuellos del jarama, suffered the harshness of the civil war, as well as the many other towns that had to experience the long siege of the capital during that war, the Valle de los Caidos, a tribute to the supporters of Franco who died during combat; and so many other events that are full of anecdotes and stories at numerous points throughout the history of the Region of Madrid.
