About Majadahonda / La Zarzuela, Madrid

Majadahonda is a municipality in Spain, situated 16 km northwest of Madrid, in the Community of Madrid. It lies at 743 m of altitude, and has a population of 66.585 inhabitants (INE 2008) and an area of 39 km².
 
It was founded in the 13th century, originally as a farming and pastoral community. It was a place where there were violent battles during the Spanish Civil War. Today its population is increasing greatly, as are all of the towns in the area of Madrid.
 
The Palace of Zarzuela (Spanish: Palacio de la Zarzuela) is the official residence of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofia and their family. The palace is on the outskirts of Madrid, in the Royal Palace of El Pardo complex near to the Official Residence of the Prince and Princess of Asturias. The palace is owned by the Spanish state and administered by the Patrimonio Nacional agency.
 
The King and Queen of Spain have lived in the palace since their marriage in 1962. After the death of Francisco Franco in 1975, the King and Queen refused to occupy his El Pardo Palace, leaving it for foreign state guests, designating the Moncloa Palace as residence of the President of the Spanish Government, while they remained at Zarzuela. The Royal Palace in the centre of Madrid, the former principal residence of the Spanish kings, is now only used for state occasions.
 
In summer 2002, the Prince of Asturias moved into a new residence, a 3,150 m² palace built within the La Zarzuela Palace grounds.
 
 
Majadahonda, see Wikipedia (last visited Feb. 16, 2009).
Palace of Zarzuela, see Wikipedia (last visited Feb. 16, 2009).








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