Boadilla del Monte, with about 66,000 inhabitants, is a town in the Community of Madrid, about 15 km west of the capital. In recent decades it has grown fast as a residential area of houses, gardens and services, and is often listed among Spain's towns with the highest average income. Its old name meant "oxen pass".
History
A small farming village for centuries, Boadilla became in the 18th century the residence of the Infante don Luis de Borbón, brother of King Charles III, who built a palace here and hosted artists such as Francisco de Goya and the composer Luigi Boccherini. During the Civil War the area saw the Battle of Boadilla in 1936. From the 1980s the village turned into a garden city on Madrid's doorstep.
What to see
- The Palace of the Infante don Luis, designed by architect Ventura Rodríguez in the mid-18th century in neoclassical style, with terraced gardens and fountains; after a long restoration it is open to visitors.
- The 17th-century convent of the Incarnation, of the Carmelite nuns.
- The church of San Cristóbal.
- The Monte de Boadilla, a large wood of holm oaks, pines and oaks, with trails for walking and cycling, linked to the Guadarrama river regional park.
Living in Boadilla
The town offers international and bilingual schools, sports facilities, parks and a network of cycle paths. It is home to Ciudad Grupo Santander, the bank's head office and one of Europe's largest corporate campuses. Many foreigners working in Madrid choose Boadilla for its peace and quiet. See also moving to Spain.
Festivals
The patron saint festivities for the Virgen del Rosario are held in early October, with music, family activities and bull runs.
Getting there
Boadilla is linked to Madrid by light rail (line ML3), connecting with the metro at Colonia Jardín, and by intercity buses. By car it is reached from the M-40 and M-50. See also Madrid.