LA ALAMEDILLA PARK
30 minutes
La Alamedilla Park is one of the city's oldest gardens, inaugurated in 1883. Throughout its history, it has experienced periods of splendor, neglect, and renewal. It features a lake with birds, children's play areas, outdoor exercise zones, and a rich variety of vegetation with over 40 species of plants and trees. Today, it is no longer the city's largest park, but its central location makes it the perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature without leaving the city. Its café and ice cream parlor is a very popular spot for locals from Salamanca on hot days.
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In the second half of the 19th century, Salamanca sought to embrace the winds of modernity circulating throughout Europe. Modernity implied a series of infrastructure improvements and the provision of green areas for citizens' recreation. In 1879, the city council acquired land to the northwest of Puerta de Toro; the black poplars planted there naturally christened that spot La Alamedilla.
La Alamedilla was inaugurated in 1883, becoming the benchmark park for Salamanca residents, surpassing Campo de San Francisco and even the Plaza Mayor itself. Gradually, the city council equipped the park with infrastructure (benches, lighting, a bandstand relocated from Plaza Mayor, a lake with fish...). With the turn of the century, La Alamedilla became a hub for cultural activities, including screenings of the newly invented cinematograph.
But after its splendor came a period of decline: the lake dried up, the trees fell ill with Dutch elm disease, and a lack of maintenance plunged the park into slow deterioration. A portion of its surface was dedicated to building “Las escuelas de La Alamedilla” (The La Alamedilla Schools). Neglect reached such a point that in 1920, the local press even suggested its disappearance to build a modern neighborhood. But in the 1920s, the park was reborn: its walkways were redesigned, irrigation was optimized, and a rose garden with over 700 rose bushes was planted. The bandstand, which had returned to the Plaza in 1906, was moved back to La Alamedilla, becoming the heart of the park until its demolition in 1963. In the 1930s, a children's area with swings and a pond-pool was added. However, during these years, the park's area was reduced due to city council concessions for the construction of the Escuela Elemental de Trabajo (Elementary School of Work) and the Jardín Maternal (Nursery School).
During the 1950s, a municipal sports field was built, which would eventually become the origin of the future Municipal Sports Pavilion. In the 1960s, the park opened up to the city: the surrounding wall was torn down, a fountain with jets up to 12 meters high was designed, an open-air auditorium, a small zoo, and several sculptures by Salamanca-born sculptor Agustín Casillas were installed ('Pair of Deer,' 'Diana the Huntress,' 'Rape of Europa,' and 'Reclining Woman'). A bar and an innovative children's area with slides, seesaws, and gymnastic games turned La Alamedilla into a benchmark for family leisure. In 1964, the sports pavilion was inaugurated with a national roller hockey tournament.
Although new and important green spaces would emerge in Salamanca in the following years, La Alamedilla did not lose its popularity. The park was modernized, and the children's area was updated with safer games. In the 1990s, a heated swimming pool was built. Already in the 21st century, the park has adapted to new sustainability criteria. Between 2014 and 2015, pedestrian paths were expanded, a jet fountain with low-energy LED lights was installed, the lake was restored, and the aviary was transformed into an island connected by footbridges and adorned with a pergola. The irrigation system began to be managed intelligently, and new children's games and outdoor exercise equipment made the park an inclusive space.
In conclusion, La Alamedilla Park was born as a symbol of 19th-century modernity and has survived the passage of time because its managers have known how to adapt it to the changes society has demanded at each moment. Despite its continuous transformations, it has maintained its essence as a historic garden, today populated with 391 specimens belonging to 44 tree species.
La Alamedilla was inaugurated in 1883, becoming the benchmark park for Salamanca residents, surpassing Campo de San Francisco and even the Plaza Mayor itself. Gradually, the city council equipped the park with infrastructure (benches, lighting, a bandstand relocated from Plaza Mayor, a lake with fish...). With the turn of the century, La Alamedilla became a hub for cultural activities, including screenings of the newly invented cinematograph.
But after its splendor came a period of decline: the lake dried up, the trees fell ill with Dutch elm disease, and a lack of maintenance plunged the park into slow deterioration. A portion of its surface was dedicated to building “Las escuelas de La Alamedilla” (The La Alamedilla Schools). Neglect reached such a point that in 1920, the local press even suggested its disappearance to build a modern neighborhood. But in the 1920s, the park was reborn: its walkways were redesigned, irrigation was optimized, and a rose garden with over 700 rose bushes was planted. The bandstand, which had returned to the Plaza in 1906, was moved back to La Alamedilla, becoming the heart of the park until its demolition in 1963. In the 1930s, a children's area with swings and a pond-pool was added. However, during these years, the park's area was reduced due to city council concessions for the construction of the Escuela Elemental de Trabajo (Elementary School of Work) and the Jardín Maternal (Nursery School).
During the 1950s, a municipal sports field was built, which would eventually become the origin of the future Municipal Sports Pavilion. In the 1960s, the park opened up to the city: the surrounding wall was torn down, a fountain with jets up to 12 meters high was designed, an open-air auditorium, a small zoo, and several sculptures by Salamanca-born sculptor Agustín Casillas were installed ('Pair of Deer,' 'Diana the Huntress,' 'Rape of Europa,' and 'Reclining Woman'). A bar and an innovative children's area with slides, seesaws, and gymnastic games turned La Alamedilla into a benchmark for family leisure. In 1964, the sports pavilion was inaugurated with a national roller hockey tournament.
Although new and important green spaces would emerge in Salamanca in the following years, La Alamedilla did not lose its popularity. The park was modernized, and the children's area was updated with safer games. In the 1990s, a heated swimming pool was built. Already in the 21st century, the park has adapted to new sustainability criteria. Between 2014 and 2015, pedestrian paths were expanded, a jet fountain with low-energy LED lights was installed, the lake was restored, and the aviary was transformed into an island connected by footbridges and adorned with a pergola. The irrigation system began to be managed intelligently, and new children's games and outdoor exercise equipment made the park an inclusive space.
In conclusion, La Alamedilla Park was born as a symbol of 19th-century modernity and has survived the passage of time because its managers have known how to adapt it to the changes society has demanded at each moment. Despite its continuous transformations, it has maintained its essence as a historic garden, today populated with 391 specimens belonging to 44 tree species.
La Alamedilla Park covers an area of approximately 24,000 m², distributed among landscaped zones, pedestrian paths, an artificial lake, and a spacious children's area. Its design combines circular and radial pathways that converge in a central square presided over by a modern fountain with LED lighting and interactive jets.
NATURE AND ARBOREAL HERITAGE
The park is home to 391 trees of 44 different species, with the plane tree being the predominant species, followed by Norway spruces, cypresses, Himalayan cedars, black yews, etc. Among them, the emblematic Cedar of Lebanon stands out, known as the “Pine of San José,” over 125 years old with an impressive trunk circumference of 4.3 meters, considered part of Salamanca’s natural heritage. In 2016, a special planting of 20 trees of different species was carried out, notably including two sequoias propagated in the municipal nursery from cuttings of the historic specimen at the University of Salamanca.
POND AND FAUNA
At the heart of the park lies an artificial pond where ducks, geese, and swans swim freely. The old aviary has been replaced by a pedestrian island with a modern pergola and two access footbridges. Although no longer present, many fondly remember the peacocks that once roamed freely through the gardens and the cages that housed fawns and other animals that delighted the children of Salamanca.
CHILDREN'S AREA AND OUTDOOR SPORTS
At the northern end is the children's area, completely fenced and equipped with rubber flooring and artificial turf to ensure the safety of the little ones. It features 36 play elements that comply with current regulations. As a relic of the past, the iconic concrete train from 1961, an endearing symbol of the park, has been preserved. Additionally, next to the sports center, an outdoor fitness equipment area has been installed, designed to encourage outdoor exercise among adults and seniors.
SERVICES AND SURROUNDINGS
Along the pathways, benches and shaded areas invite leisurely strolls and relaxation.
Between the park and the train tracks are the sports center and the heated swimming pools, which complement the area's sports offerings. Furthermore, next to Paseo de Canalejas is a cafeteria with a spacious terrace, protected by a pergola and surrounded by trees that offer shade and coolness on the hottest days.
NATURE AND ARBOREAL HERITAGE
The park is home to 391 trees of 44 different species, with the plane tree being the predominant species, followed by Norway spruces, cypresses, Himalayan cedars, black yews, etc. Among them, the emblematic Cedar of Lebanon stands out, known as the “Pine of San José,” over 125 years old with an impressive trunk circumference of 4.3 meters, considered part of Salamanca’s natural heritage. In 2016, a special planting of 20 trees of different species was carried out, notably including two sequoias propagated in the municipal nursery from cuttings of the historic specimen at the University of Salamanca.
POND AND FAUNA
At the heart of the park lies an artificial pond where ducks, geese, and swans swim freely. The old aviary has been replaced by a pedestrian island with a modern pergola and two access footbridges. Although no longer present, many fondly remember the peacocks that once roamed freely through the gardens and the cages that housed fawns and other animals that delighted the children of Salamanca.
CHILDREN'S AREA AND OUTDOOR SPORTS
At the northern end is the children's area, completely fenced and equipped with rubber flooring and artificial turf to ensure the safety of the little ones. It features 36 play elements that comply with current regulations. As a relic of the past, the iconic concrete train from 1961, an endearing symbol of the park, has been preserved. Additionally, next to the sports center, an outdoor fitness equipment area has been installed, designed to encourage outdoor exercise among adults and seniors.
SERVICES AND SURROUNDINGS
Along the pathways, benches and shaded areas invite leisurely strolls and relaxation.
Between the park and the train tracks are the sports center and the heated swimming pools, which complement the area's sports offerings. Furthermore, next to Paseo de Canalejas is a cafeteria with a spacious terrace, protected by a pergola and surrounded by trees that offer shade and coolness on the hottest days.