Interpretation Centre
The interpretation centre is located inside the Tourism Office of Aranjuez. Its main purpose is to promote tourism resources of the city to the visitors. It is a place of 130 m2 divided into two areas:
The Hall
The Hall has two functions: to start the visit of Aranjuez Cultural Landscape and to outbound visitors. Between the Hall and the Exhibition Centre there are public toilets (including one for disabled people.
Juan de Villanueva Exhibition Center
Juan de Villanueva Exhibition Center is devoted to exhibitions and it is thematically divided into two areas: a guided tour around our Cultural Landscape displayed through panels and an area with chairs, a screen for audiovisuals and a mock-up of the Old City, the Historical Gardens and part of the Historical Groves.
To get to know our Cultural Landscape, visitors are guided through panels with attractive images and descriptions. The aim of this display is to stimulate the visitor to know more about the site and its historical background and to provide them with some tips to help them organize the visit according to their interests.
The structure of the exhibition script starts from the key concept: A Landscape Drawn by Humans. It is divided into five areas that are interconnected and perform an unbreakable link between the action of human being and the versatility of the landscape.
First Area: Presentation of Aranjuez, A Landscape Drawn by Humans
The first panel explains the origin of the city from the concept of intervention of man in the landscape.
Second Area: History and Human Landscape of the Royal Site
Important and relevant historical events and characters are shown in this area. The presence of the rivers Tagus and Jarama is suggested by aqueous sound effects while the panels narrate stories about emblematic characters: their works and their relationship with the landscape, the local people and the main historical events.
Third Area: A city to discover
Different itineraries are shown through the interactive mock-up.
Fourth Area: The anthropic Nature: Gardens and Historical Groves
This area explains how humans have intervened in the territory to adapt it to their will and interests. We are consequently, before a site that expresses itself inby means of its gardens and forests, its fountains and artificial ponds and its Palatine buildings, as well.
Fifth Area: Culture and Tradition
This area is dedicated to illustrate culture and tradition of the place through special events such as the Mutiny of Aranjuez, The Historical Strawberry Train, the rich gastronomy based on excellent products from the historical vegetable orchards, and also world known personalities as Joaquín Rodrigo, author of the famous Concert of Aranjuez and Painter Santiago Rusiñol, among others.
