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All Spain Aranjuez Estanque de los Chinescos (Chinese Pond)
AO Edited

Estanque de los Chinescos (Chinese Pond)

This 18th-century pond is one of the main attractions in the Jardín del Príncipe in Aranjuez.

Aranjuez, Spain

Added By
Javier Pascual Aguilar
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Chinese pond   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
Chinese pond   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
  isol, CC BY-SA 3.0
  sol, CC BY-SA 3.0
  PMRMaeyaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
  Miguel Hermoso Cuesta, CC BY-SA 4.0
Estanque de los Chinescos   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
  isol, CC BY-SA 3.0
  isol, CC BY-SA 3.0
  isol, CC BY-SA 3.0
  Rodelar, CC BY-SA 4.0
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About

Built around 1790, el Estanque de Chinescos is, according to many locals and visitors, the most successful ensemble in the entire Prince's Garden in Aranjuez, a town about 30 miles south of Madrid.

The pond is the creation of Spanish architect Juan de Villanueva, who was joined by Pablo Botelou for the gardening work. This artificial pond houses three islets, each one adorned with a monumental milestone, the Chinese temple, the classical temple, and the obelisk.

The Chinese temple was originally built by de Villanueva and featured two distinct bodies that were connected by a roof with walls that resembled Chinese openwork frets and a steep slope. The current one, which González Velázquez repaired, is made of wood and is situated on a circular island with a surface area that is significantly greater than the temple. It has an eight-sided curved roof that gives it an oriental aspect and ends in a little lantern. A similarly-styled wooden railed walkway leads to it. There are four parallel perspectives and an equal number of entrances with pointed arches and neo-Gothic styling that feature latticework on their buttresses.

The classical temple is Neo-Greek in style and it is supported by 10 Ionic columns made of marble, which were brought from La Granja de San Ildefonso (Segovia). Between each column there used to be statues of Egyptian idols, which were looted during the French Invasion of Spain in 1808, while the interior of the dome was decorated with paintings by Zacarías González Velázquez. The third of the landmarks is a stone obelisk about 23 feet high, resting on a rocky promontory.

The pond is delimited by a small brick wall and there used to be a rustic railing of which today a large part has been lost. A small "Chinese boat" was also built, similar to a small gondola, to navigate the pond. Classic nature and oriental architecture coexist harmoniously in this space, creating that romantic atmosphere so representative of the first third of the 18th century.

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Parks Architecture Gardens

Know Before You Go

El Jardín del Príncipe has got plenty of green arrows leading you wherever you want to go in the park. Follow those marked "Estanque de los Chinescos" to find the pond

Community Contributors

Added By

Xavixavir

Published

May 19, 2023

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  • https://guias-viajar.com/madrid/pueblos-alrededores/aranjuez-fotos-estanque-chinescos-jardines-principe/
  • https://www.aranjuezenunclick.org/estanque-de-los-chinescos/
Estanque de los Chinescos (Chinese Pond)
C. del Príncipe
Aranjuez, 28300
Spain
40.040858, -3.594086
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Museo de Falúas Reales (Royal Barges Museum)

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aranjuez

Aranjuez

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Places 3

Nearby Places

Museo de Falúas Reales (Royal Barges Museum)

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miles away

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miles away

Pajarera del Jardín de la Isla

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aranjuez

Aranjuez

Spain

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