Location
This town is to the east of the metropolitan area of Madrid, 19km from the centre of the capital.
History
Rivas-Vaciamadrid has existed under its current name since 1945, when the municipalities of Rivas del Jarama and Vaciamadrid were joined together. The former is located on the banks of the river Jarama opposite a cliff of gypsum, and the latter is located on the Madrid-Valencia road. The most noticeable buildings are the church of San Marcos; the town hall building; the church or shrine and the palaceconvent of el Cristo de Rivas, the latter being a national monument in the Baroque style; the palace of El Negralejo, from the C19th, today a hotel; the iron bridge for the old train to Arganda. The archaeological zone known as Casa Eulogio is also historically important.
In 1949, the castle of Rivas del Jarama was declared a monument of historical interest. The castle was built on a hill with a shrine at the bottom, very little of which now remains. The town centre was destroyed during the Civil War and was rebuilt before the town was renamed Rivas-Vaciamadrid in 1945.
Nature
The town is located in the valley of the low course of the river Jarama and this favoured agricultural production. As a result, Rivas-Vaciamadrid was traditionally one of the main suppliers of fruit and vegetables for Madrid, although it also concentrated on dry farming such as wine and cereals. It has recently become a residential area that is closely tied to the expansion of the capital and its population has increased at a spectacular rate. It currently has more than 45,000 inhabitants.
Most of the land pertaining to the town falls within an area of special environmental protection, the regional park which is bounded by the low courses of the rivers Manzanares and Jarama, known as the Regional Park of the Southeast. Before going into the park you should visit El Campillo Environmental Education Centre which is on the edge of El Campillo lake on the estate of the same name and within the regional park. The rivers Jarama and Manzanares pass through and join in the municipality.
Useful Facts
The Municipal Popular University is also located in Rivas-Vaciamadrid. This is an adult education centre which concentrates on providing equal opportunities.
Fiestas
One of the most famous activities in the town concerns the Cristo de Rivas which, every 29 September, becomes a centre for pilgrimage.
