Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain

🇪🇸 Torrejón de Ardoz is a municipality of Spain belonging to the Community of Madrid.

The European Union Satellite Centre, an agency of the European Union, is located in Torrejón de Ardoz. It is also the location of the headquarters of the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, the Spanish space agency.

The Torrejón Air Base/Madrid–Torrejón Airport also lies on the municipality.

History While there is no certainty of the origin of Torrejón de Ardoz, it probably dates from the 12th century, associated to fortifications built to protect Alcalá de Henares. It was part of the Land of Alcalá for all purposes until 1554, when it was granted the status of town.

In 1843 it was the place of a short battle between general Ramón Narvaez and senator Antonio Seoane, as part of the rebellion against Espartero.

The United States Air Force jointly occupied the Torrejón Air Base, installed in 1955, under agreements made with Francisco Franco. The base was subject of criticism since its beginnings and a meeting place of pacifist demonstrations attended by progressives and ecologists.

One of the election platforms of Felipe González's Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) was to close the base to the American fighter wing. Once González became prime minister, the lease of the then 401st Tactical Fighter Wing (now the 401st Air Expeditionary Group) was not renewed and the F-16 fighter wing left the base in the early 1990s.

Geography The municipality of Torrejón de Ardoz borders the following municipalities: to the north with Ajalvir (4.35 km) and Daganzo de Arriba (566 m), to the east with Alcalá de Henares (8.59 km), to the south and west with San Fernando de Henares (8.91 km) and to the north-west with Paracuellos de Jarama (3.44 km). These limits have varied throughout the history of the municipality having limited with Madrid before the creation of the municipality of San Fernando de Henares.

Geography: Location It is located to the east of the city of Madrid, near the A-2, the highway connecting Madrid and Barcelona. With the city located at the right-bank (north) of the Henares the relief of the municipality gently decreases in elevation from north to south.

Three small creeks pass through the municipality emptying into the Henares. From West to East: Arroyo del Valle, Arroyo Pelayo, and Arroyo Ardoz.

The highest point lies in the North of the municipality, standing at 623 m above sea level.

The municipality has a total area of 32.49 km².

Economy The service sector employs 50% of the active population. 40% are employed in the industrial sector.

10% of the land is occupied by industry and other economic activities. In particular, there are several industrial estates in Torrejón: in Las Fronteras, in Las Monjas, to the south-east of the municipality and along the Avenida de la Constitución) and three others are planned: the SUNT 1 to the north-west of the municipality, the Casablanca or SUNT 2 to the south of the Air Base, already under construction, and Los Almendros south of

Commerce The most notable urban commercial areas (small commerce) are: • Axis Avenida de la Constitución, mainly in the sections between Fronteras Avenida and Calle Roma and between Calle de Budapest and Carretera de la Base. • Surroundings of the Plaza Mayor - Enmedio street - Plaza de España. • Axis Avenida de Madrid - Calle de Madrid. • Surroundings of Marble Street. • Surroundings Veredilla street - Roma street - Lisbon street.

Several neighborhoods have food markets: • Center: market in the Plaza Mayor. • Las Fronteras: El Maragato market, Fronteras avenue. • Las Veredillas: Orbasa markets on Turin Street and Las Veredillas (Coivisa) on Lisbon Street. • Parque Cataluña: market in El Parque Shopping Center, Silicio Street.

In addition, there are several large and medium-sized commercial areas, among others: Over the years and the openings of the Parque Corredor Oasiz Madrid and On Plaza shopping centres have made Torrejón de Ardoz the nerve centre of shopping in the eastern area. • Corredor Park Shopping Center: it has a hypermarket Alcampo, Ikea, Media Markt among other medium surfaces, it has more than 180 stores. There is also a leisure area (see below). Located on the M-108 Crat de Ajalvir-Torrejón between kilometer 2 - kilometer 5 • Oasiz Madrid shopping center: located in the Casablanca business park, on 13th Nobel Prizes Avenue. It has stores such as Fnac, Adidas, Nike among others it has 70 stores and 32 restaurants and a central lake including karting cinemas bowling and gym and wind tunnel • Carrefour hypermarket located on the Loeches road has several stores, the hypermarket and a gas station of the same brand • On Plaza shopping park, located on Avenida de la Constitución 100. It has a Mercadona, Norauto, Tiendanimal, Tedi, McFit Gyms, Leroy Merlin and Tony Roma's and TGB restaurant. It has 350 parking spaces. • El Círculo shopping center: it has several shops and restaurants, Avenida de la Constitución. • El Parque shopping center: it has a market area and several shops, Silicio Street. • La Guitarra shopping center: it contains a supermarket, a gym and various shops, Calle de la Circunvalación. • La Zarzuela shopping center: it contains a large Chinese bazaar called China City, Pizarro Street. • The Mercadona, Eroski, AhorraMás, Supercor Express, LIDL, Día, and Hiper Usera chains have one or more centres scattered throughout the town.

Infrastructures Torrejón has grown a lot in recent years and, as a result, a good number of infrastructures have been progressively added.

Some of these are the following: • The Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base. It is located to the north-east of the municipality and its use is military and civil. It was built in the 1950s due to the cooperation treaty with the United States. • The José María Rodero Theater, located in Las Veredillas. It was built in the 1980s and currently houses a large number of cultural events. • The Las Veredillas municipal soccer field, A stadium of the Torrejón Football Club. It is in the neighborhood of Las Veredillas. It has a capacity of 1300 people. • The C-2 and C-7 commuter train lines with one station in the urban centre and another in the residential neighborhood of Soto del Henares (near the Torrejón Hospital and the Casablanca Industrial Estate. • The New Cemetery located in the south of the municipality. Prior to this, there was the Old Cemetery, which became disused with the construction of the new one and has already been dismantled. • The bullring, located next to the fairgrounds. It houses bullfights at local festivals. • Three sports centres and five municipal swimming pools including the waves. • Four cultural centres and five public libraries.

Administration • CITY HALL • Courts • Civil Registry • Property Registry • State Public Employment Service • Regional Employment Service • Municipal Employment Office • National Institute of Social Security • Social Security Treasury • Treasury Delegation • Municipal Housing and Land Company (EMVS) • Municipal Office of Consumer Care (OMIC) • Correos: • National Police • Local Police • Firefighters • Civil Protection • Clean point • Municipal Cemetery • Municipal mortuary

Health Torrejón de Ardoz currently has a public hospital, a private hospital, a specialty centre and six health centres spread throughout the municipality. • Torrejón Hospital (PUBLIC HOSPITAL) • Quirón Salud Valle del Henares Hospital (PRIVAL HOSPITAL) • Las Veredillas Specialty Center • Las Veredillas Health Center • El Juncal Health Center • Fronteras Health Center • Compass health center • La Plata Health Center • Los Fresnos Health Center

Torrejón de Ardoz is located in Area 3 of the health map of the Community of Madrid. We remind you that the reference hospitals of this Health Area are the Torrejón Hospital located in the town of Torrejón de Ardoz. Prince of Asturias University Hospital located in the nearby town of Alcalá de Henares and the Ramón y Cajal Hospital located in Madrid (Carretera de Colmenar or M-607)

Social services Torrejón de Ardoz has a wide network of social service centres, especially when it comes to the care and entertainment of the elderly.

Care centers • Social Services Center • Center for Attention to Drug Addicts (CAID) • Immigrant Care Service • San José Community Development Center • Center for Social Integration of Youth and Adolescents • Youth Information Service • Jorge Fernández de Toro's house • House of Youth • Women's Area • Children's Leisure Center • Volunteer Information Point (PIV) • ASTOR Early Care Center

Centers for the elderly • Residence for the elderly Adavir Torrejón de Ardoz • Residence for the elderly Edalia Torrejón de Ardoz • Residence for the elderly Las Celindas • Residence for the elderly Nª Mrs. del Rosario • Day center • Torrepista Senior Center • Bº San José Senior Center • Las Fronteras Senior Center • El Parque Senior Center • La Cañada Senior Center • Space for the elderly, Caja Madrid

Education: University • National University of Distance Education (UNED) ◦ University access course for people over 25 years old ◦ University access course for people over 45 years old ◦ Degree in Law ◦ Degree in Business Administration and Management • University of Alcalá de Henares (UAH)

The installation of a postgraduate study centre (logists area) associated with the University of Alcalá de Henares (UAH) in the municipality is in progress.

Other educational centers • Popular University • School of Adult Education • Official School of Languages • Municipal School of Music

Roads Access routes: • The A-2 highway Madrid - Zaragoza - Barcelona • The R-2 Madrid - Guadalajara highway (to toll) • The M-45 motorway • The M-50 motorway • The M-108 road that connects with Ajalvir • The M-206 road that connects with San Fernando de Henares and Loeches • The M-300 road that connects with Alcalá de Henares

Intercity buses The CRTM intercity bus lines offer different direct connections from Torrejón de Ardoz. The company that has the concession of most of the lines is ALSA. The bus interchange is located in the Plaza de España and is managed by that company.

*Intercity buses to Madrid * Madrid (Avenida de América) - Torrejón de Ardoz (Hospital de Torrejón)

224A

Madrid (Avenida de América) - Torrejón de Ardoz (La Mancha Amarilla)

226

Madrid (Avenida de América) - Torrejón de Ardoz (Soto del Henares)

824

Madrid (Airport) - Alcalá de Henares

*Other intercity lines * Torrejón de Ardoz - Paracuellos de Jarama

220

Torrejón de Ardoz - San Fernando de Henares

251

Torrejón de Ardoz - Valdeavero - Alcalá de Henares

252

Torrejón de Ardoz - Daganzo de Arriba - Alcalá de Henares

261

Madrid (Avenida de América) - Nuevo Baztán - Villar del Olmo

340

Torrejón de Ardoz - Mejorada del Campo

N202

Madrid (Avenida de América) - Torrejón de Ardoz - Alcalá de Henares

City buses All urban services belong to ALSA and have a stop at the interchange of the Plaza de España.

Circular Torrejón A

1B

Circular Torrejón B

2

The Borders - Bº Castillo - Los Fresnos

3

Los Fresnos - Pza. of Spain - Los Almendros

4

Terminal - Corredor Park

5A

Circular Europa A Park

5B

Circular Parque Europa B

6

Plaza de España - Oasiz / Casablanca / Air Base

Transport: Rail Madrid Commuter Lines: • C-2: Guadalajara - Alcalá de Henares - Madrid Atocha - Madrid Chamartín • C-7: Alcalá de Henares - Madrid Atocha - Madrid Chamartín - Las Rozas - Príncipe Pío • C-8: Guadalajara - Madrid Atocha - Madrid Chamartín - Pinar - Villalba - Cercedilla

Torrejón has two railway stations: that of Torrejón de Ardoz in the Plaza de España, and that of Soto del Henares, in the homonymous neighborhood and next to the local hospital.

Soto del Henares Station

Airplane • Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport: It is located 6-10 km from the centre of Torrejón, according to the chosen airport terminal. • Torrejón Airport: Located in the municipality, within the facilities of the Air Base, it was used for commercial-private flights, but currently only military personnel are provided.

Taxi Torrejón de Ardoz has its own and regulated 24 Hour Radio-Taxi service with a fleet of 36 licenses made by the third fleet of the Community of Madrid behind only the taxi fleets of the municipalities of Madrid and Alcalá de Henares. They are white vehicles marked with the black and yellow sign on top and with the yellow/purple flag and the local shield on the front doors. Service adapted for the disabled and baby/children's chairs.

Taxi Ranks • Plaza de España: next to the bus station • Corredor Park: own marquee next to that of the L4 urban bus • Calle Silicio: in front of the El Parque Shopping Center • Avenida de la Constitución: at the entrance of the El Círculo Shopping Center • Calle de Mateo Inurria: at the entrance of the hospital • Soto del Henares Station: at the exit of the same

The Big House The Casa Grande is located on Calle de Madrid in the Old Town of the city. Its date of construction dates from the end of the 4th century and the beginning of the 15th century. Founded in the 16th century. In its beginnings, it was a work house of the Society of Jesus to administer the Imperial College of Madrid. After the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1776 with the reign of Charles III of Spain, it had several owners. For a long time it was the barracks of the Civil Guard until 1974 that it was acquired by its current owner Rafael Onieva who restored it and turned it into the hospitality and artistic centre that it is today. In addition, it also houses an important museum of Byzantine icons with more than 1200 pieces. It is also a four-star hotel.

The Soto de Aldovea The Soto de Aldovea is a natural setting next to the right bank of the Henares River that houses the Aldovea castle. The current one is a mansion built at the end of the sixteenth century. Although it belongs to the municipality of San Fernando de Henares, it is more linked to Torrejón. The so-called Barrio del Castillo had its origin in the houses of the workers of the soto of Aldovea. The soto belonged to the Archbishopric of Toledo until the confiscation of Godoy in which he passed into the hands of the Crown. In 1869 it went to auction and since then it has been in private hands.

Archpriestal Church of St. John the Evangelist The church of San Juan Evangelista, located in the Plaza Mayor, was built from the sixteenth century. At first it was a smaller church with two chapels and two naves. In the beginning, the dead were buried in the church just like in the rest of Spain. From 1784 the expansion works began to be as we know it today: with a basilica plan, with three naves and a dome. In the church we have a painting by the famous painter Claudio Coello: The martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist, which dates back to 1675.

City Museum It is a space of more than 1000 m² spread over four floors dedicated to the history of Torrejón de Ardoz. On the ground floor, you can see history from the Paleolithic to the 11th and 12th centuries. In addition, this is where you can see part of the site found in the Soto del Henares neighborhood between 2006 and 2007, as the three burials that have been reproduced. It also has a room dedicated to the carpetan and Roman peoples; and another to the medieval Torrejón, which is when the Torreón that gave rise to the city is built. As well as various temporary exhibitions. Free admission. Visiting hours from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Rafael Leoz's experimental homes Located between the streets Maestro Chapí, Maestro Albéniz, Maestro Sorozábal/Navacerrada and the I.E.S. centers. León Felipe and C.E.I.P. Ramón y Cajal.19 It is a set of housing blocks in height projected in 1973 where the architect continued to work with the HELE Module (developed together with Herbaz) that allows high functionality in the planning of various building typologies.

Other public monuments and sculptures • Bridge over the Henares River: the bridge (already in disuse for road traffic) saves the river by means of a three-dimensional structure of X-shaped metal beams-slilies in the Eiffel style, with transit through its interior. It was built in 1889 by the Sociedad Material F.C. construcciones de Barcelona. It is located next to the Loeches Highway. • El Buen Gobernador public school: it was the first school group built for the municipality (1949). It is a two-storey building with a central body with a gallery and two wings separated from that by two towers topped by slate spires. • Laundry room, Pedro Rodríguez de Campomanes Street, Mariana Pineda Street. • Pozo, Avenida de la Constitución with Calle de los Hermanos Pinzón. • San Juan Evangelista, Plaza Mayor, on the facade of the City Hall. • Torso Agamemnon II, 1977, Carlos García Muela, Avenida de la Constitución with the Base road. • Murals, 1978, Antonia Payero, Navacerrada Street. • Mural-monument to Olympism, C.D. Joaquín Blume. • Sculpture Gajos (stored). • Monument to the Spanish Constitution, Veredilla Street. • Abrazo, monument to Solidarity, 1986, Pepe Noja, Gta. The Nuns. • Woman's torso, 1999, Mustafa Arruf, 20th Street of Liberty. • Tribute to the International Brigades, 2003, José Luis Fernández, Avenida de la Virgen de Loreto with Calle Veredilla. • Flowering, 2003, José Luis Fernández, Berlin Street. • Commemorative plaque of 11-M, 2004, José Luis Fernández, park of 11-M. • Monument to Equality, 2004, La Chopera Park. • Monument to the Victims of 11-M, 2004, José Luis Fernández, Plaza de España. • Monument to Don Quixote and Sancho, 2005, José Luis Fernández, Navacerrada Street with San Fernando Street. • Reading in the snail, 2006, José Luis Fernández, (waiting for a new location). • Tribute to Torrejón de Ardoz, 2007, José Luis Fernández, Brazil Street with Budapest Street. • Woman in the Wind, monument against Gender Violence, 2007, José Leal, Avenida de la Constitución with Budapest Street. • Fresno Otoñal, 2008, Javier Rego, Eos Street with Luna Avenue. • La Rosa, 2008, Juanjo Novella, Madrid Avenue with Lisbon Street. • La Cantarera, 2008, Ángel Rubio, Cábilas Street with Ajalvir Street. • Tribute to the Elders, 2008, José Luis Fernández, Plaza Mayor. • Arco, 2009, Juanjo Novella, Madrid Avenue, Las Veredillas Park and Las Palmeras Park. • Shield of Torrejón de Ardoz, 2009, Plaza Mayor. • Latidos, 2009, Juan Carlos López "Colo", La Zarzuela park. • Esperanzada youth, 2009, José Luis Fernández, Polis park. • Bookshelf with books, 2009, Javier Rego, Plaza del Maestro. • Looking for the direction, 2010, Javier Rego, Avenida deCristóbal Colón with Calle de los Hermanos Pinzón. • Mural of the Las Fronteras Cultural Center, 2010, Lola Remesal and Fernando Plaza, Salvador Allende Street. • Caballos en libertad, 2010, José Luis Fernández, Enmedio Street. • Mural of the school El Buen Gobernador, 2010, Manuel Ojeda, Juan XXIII street with the Ronda de Poniente. • Obelisk of the Constitution, 2010, Javier Rego, Avenida de la Constitución with Avenida Fronteras. • The missing trees, 2010, Manuel Ojeda, Fronteras Avenue with Constitución Avenue. • Tribute to the musicians, 2010, José Luis Fernández, Hospital Street. • The Knight of the Sad Figure, 2010, Manuel Ojeda, Ardoz Park.

McDonnell Douglas F-4 fighter exhibited in Torrejón de Ardoz • Tribute to military aviation, 2013, Air Force, Avenida de la Constitución with the Paseo de la Concordia

There are also a significant number of ornamental fountains in the parks and squares of the town.

Parks and gardens • Europa Park: inaugurated in September 2010, it is about the improvement and expansion of the old Ardoz stream park. It has enclosure and a complete landscaping program based on natural species and monuments associated with the different countries that make up the European Union. This park contains several leisure areas: jetty, children's boats, archery area, multi-adventure area, laser labyrinth, quadricycle rental, cybernetic fountain, etc. Some of the monuments contained in the Europa Park are the Puerta de Alcalá, the Plaza del Sol, the Eiffel Tower, the little mermaid, the Viking ship and also contains an original piece of the Berlin Wall, provided free of charge by the City Council of this city. Next to each of these reproductions, an explanatory panel has been installed with references to the original monument. Within the park, another 23 points of interest have also been marked since it has a picnic area, waterfall, different themed squares, viewpoints and temples. Currently you can also enjoy the giant woman,21 that allows you to learn in an experiential way how the human body works. • Central park: located behind the town hall, with a large lake and spectacular play area. • Gran Parque and Parque del Ocio: they are located in the neighborhood of Los Fresnos. Although they are two different parks, they work as one, allowing the railway station to be linked to the Los Fresnos neighborhood. The first contained a botanical path of which there is little left and after the last remodeling it has 2 ornamental fountains and a rosewood. The second houses a lake, the artificial mountain, a climbing wall, the skating area, a training circuit, an area for loose dogs and the fairgrounds. • Parque de las Veredillas: it is located in the neighborhood of Las Veredillas as its name indicates. The largest of the city's oldest parks is also commonly called the "Park of the Ducks", since in its central pond there has always been a small flock of these birds. It has two sports courts, the Road Education circuit, ping-pong tables, a dovecote (closed), a bar with terrace, children's and geriatric areas and an esplanade that is the local meeting point for petanque fans. • Parque de los Fresnos: conceived as an extension of the Great Park. It is located in the homonymous neighborhood. It has two different areas recently Deployed and renovated. The area closest to the homes is completely flat and has meadows, squares, fantile areas and a unique fountain. The other area is more overwhelmed and has winding roads, a training circuit and other facilities. • Juncal Park: recently renovated, this park, commonly called La Pradera, has a pond with an artificial island, an area for loose dogs, children's and geriatric areas, a playroom, an outdoor theater and large lawn areas (which has given rise to the nickname). It also has tables to play ping pong. • Zarzuela Park: this is another of the great parks that has just been remodeled. It is located on an old landfill of rubble and land, which led to the creation of a large artificial mountain on which a viewpoint with a pergola and a monumental sculpture has now been placed. It has an ornamental fountain, ping-pong tables, dirt sports courts, children's areas, an olive grove, a rosewood and a small water tank-pond. • Parque del Rosario: it is located around the Parish of the Virgen del Rosario and has a triangular shape. It has children's areas and petanque courts. • Parque de las Palmeras: this is one of the latest renovations. The park consisted of two confluent walks with winding ceramic benches that had three structures, one at each entrance. Two of them were small plinths with three palm hearts each (which gave it the name) and the other was a geometric volume with a cylindrical tower covered with red tile (similar to a rocket). Now the ceramic walls and the benches that delimited the planting areas have been eliminated, making the space more permeable to the eye. In addition, two monumental steel sculptures by the sculptor Juanjo Navallo have been incorporated. It is located in the neighborhood of Las Veredillas. • San Juan Evangelista Park: next to the site of the old bullring, this park (one of the oldest) has been remodeled and fenced recently. It is located in the Old Town. • Libertad Park: this is another of the oldest parks in the town and that has also been renovated recently. At first it had one of the most unique elements: a fountain with water games and sequenced colors: the colored fountain that popularly called the park "the park of the Fountain of Colors", before the City Council named the city's parks. Recently and after decades of abandonment, it has been demolished in March 2020, contracting a dog park instead. It is located in the Old Town. • March 11 Park: created as a result of the tragic events of March 11, 2004, it is a tribute to the citizens of Torrejón victims of the attack. The park has a plaque-monument under which an urn was buried with the objects that, as a sign of pain and affection, were placed by the citizens in the Plaza de España. It is located in the neighborhood of Las Veredillas. • Parque de la Chopera: it is a wooded promenade parallel to Madrid Avenue in its first section and that has children's and geriatric areas, an ornamental fountain and a sculpture. It is located in the neighborhood of Las Veredillas. • Art Park: the park will be closely linked in the near future to the complex of the new Cultural Center of Los Fresnos since it is conceived as an extension of that one. • Berlin Street Park: it is located on the street of the same name and is divided in two by the Parish of Mrs. de La Soledad and the building of Ed. Children of the C.E.I.P. Severo Ochoa. It has two ornamental fountains (one with a sculptural group) and children's areas. It is inside the park of Granada. • Water Park: This park is made up of the old Alcalá park and the plot occupied by the old cemetery. It has been recently renovated including numerous ornamental fountains illuminated at night, in which it is possible to observe water games. It also has a greenhouse that currently contains a small collection of cacti. It is located in the neighborhood of Torreparque or Bilbao. • Gardens of the Maya, the Aztecs and the Incas: three gardens that go unnoticed and that are in an unfortunate state of conservation. They are located on Avenida de la Constitución and Calle Almagro, on Calle Hnos. Pinzón and Legazpi Street, respectively in the neighborhood of La Zarzuela.

There are also many other new and/or smaller gardens and parks distributed in many neighborhoods. In Soto del Henares and La Mancha Amarilla there are two parks of different surfaces: the large linear park of Henares or Parque de los Miradores (still quite poor in vegetation) and the Parque de la Calle Holanda (already open).

Cultural centers • House of Culture, London Street, 5 • El Parque Cultural Center, Hilados Street, 1 • Las Fronteras Cultural Center, Calle Salvador Allende, 7 • Rafael Alberti Cultural Center, Cañada Street, 50 • La Caja del Arte Cultural Center, Joaquín Blume Street with Eos Street

Libraries • Federico García Lorca Central Municipal Library, Plaza del Maestro, s/n • Gabriel Celaya Municipal Library, Salvador Allende Street, 7 • La Isla Misteriosa municipal youth library, Cañada Street, 50 • Caja del Arte Library, Joaquín Blume Street with Eos Street

Other cultural endowments • José María Rodero Municipal Theater, London Street, 3 • Municipal Exhibition Hall, London Street, 5 • Museum of Icons, Calle de Madrid, 2 • City Museum, Avenida de la Constitución, 61 • Ludoteca Gloria Fuertes, Avenida de Madrid, 22 • Ludoteca La Cañada: Calle de la Cañada, 50

Festivals, customs and events • Popular Festivals: these are the most important festivals in the municipality. The Fairgrounds (in the Leisure Park) brings together the main events: attractions, rock booths in the city, bullfights, running of the bulls and the main concerts with high quality artists in most cases. In the Plaza Mayor is located the other great centre of these festivities and houses the proclamation, dances with orchestra, the concentration of clubs, children's activities and some concerts. During the holidays, championships and playgrounds are also organized in the neighborhoods and to close them, on the last day there is a parade and a large fireworks display. They take place from Friday of the third weekend of June to the following Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday are local holidays. • Patron saint festivities: these festivities were the only ones that existed in the town until it was decided to move them from the calendar from October to June due to the bad weather that it usually does in autumn. However, out of devotion to the Virgin of the Rosary (in honor of which the October festivities are held), it was finally decided to celebrate both: patron saints and popular. During the patron saint festivities, there are several religious acts: solemn mass, procession, rosary sung through the streets of the helmet, offering of flowers, etc. Concerts, children's events, bullfights, running of the bulls, fireworks and other events are also organized. Most of these events take place in the Plaza Mayor. They take place on the weekend closest to October 7 (holiday of the Virgin of the Rosary). • Tortilla Day: it is a very old-old local celebration of agricultural origin. Although it is not a holiday, the torrejoneros go out to run the tortilla: families and friends get together to enjoy the outdoors and eat tortilla. The City Council organizes shows at the Fairgrounds, parades of giants and big heads, contest and tasting of tortillas, etc. Formerly it was celebrated in the place of the Olivar next to the centennial pine (currently La Zarzuela neighborhood). Many neighbors take the opportunity to enjoy the Vega del Henares and run the tortilla on its banks. It is celebrated on February 3. • Carnivals: in the municipality, these festivities are already very rooted and this is evident in the high participation of the neighbors in all their activities. There are chirigotas and costume contests, parades, shows, a parade of the burial of the Sardine, etc. They are celebrated in the month of February (variable date, depending on the beginning of Lent). • Holy Week: of an eminently religious nature, the processions that take place on the main days of that week stand out. Especially highlights the procession of the Encounter, a procession of long tradition that takes place on the morning of Easter Sunday in which the images of the Risen Christ and the Virgin travel separately through the streets of the city to finally meet in the Plaza de España and the procession of Silence on Holy Wednesday, in which the Christ of the True Cross comes out, accompanied by his brothers dressed in their habits and The events are organized by the Parishes, the Brotherhood of the Virgin of the Rosary and the Brotherhood of the True Cross and Our Lady of Solitude. These festivities take place in the month of March or April (depending on the location of Lent) and have been declared of Regional Tourist Interest since 2014.22 • Magical Christmas: the municipality is increasingly adorned to receive the arrival of Christmas. Colorful lights, giant trees and different ornaments decorate the streets. Also in the last editions, ice skating rinks have been installed, a scenographic area with animatronic attractions called the "City of the Children" and children's attractions and several shows and concerts have been organized. On Twelfth Night, the Parade takes place and a Royal Throne is available to the children so that they can deliver their letters to the Three Wise Men of the East. Celebrations take place during Advent and Christmas festivities. In 2017, the Magical Christmas of Torrejón was declared festivals of regional tourist interest of the Community of Madrid and European Capital of Christmas 2018, together with the Belgian city of Liège.23 • Day of the Community of Madrid: as in the rest of the municipalities of the region, this day commemorates the Uprising of the people of Madrid against the Napoleonic Troops in 1808. Different events are organized in the Plaza Mayor such as: stew tasting, a period market, chotis and zarzuela shows, etc. It takes place on May 2nd. • Cultural Summer: during the months of July and August, the City Council schedules a series of cycles and activities that include children's shows, outdoor cinema, concerts, theater, etc. The activities are free and take place in the municipal bullring. • Constitution Day: to commemorate the proclamation of the Spanish Constitution of 1978, the City Council organizes various public events among which deserves special attention, due to its long tradition, the Popular Race. This takes place along several urban circuits tailored to the age of the different participating groups. It takes place on December 6th. • Fairs: in recent years different gastronomic fairs have been organized such as Torrejón se DesTapa or the Seafood Fair. The Stock Fair or the Employment Fair have also been organized lately. • International Festival of Avant-garde Arts: with a shocking first edition, the festival hosts street shows of various formats and different entities: theater, dance, circus, music, etc. The shows are free and take place in squares and esplanades of the urban center. The Fura dels Baus was in charge of baptizing the new festival with a great show in the Plaza de España. It is celebrated at the end of May. • Locos International Festival X the 80s: it is a pop music festival that is (after 2 editions) temporarily suspended. The concerts take place in a giant tent installed in the Fairgrounds. The participating artists are great milestones of the music of the 80s. Among others, they have gone through the Festival: Marta Sánchez, Miguel Bosé, Gloria Gaynor, Boney M or Luz Casal. Parallel activities are also organized, such as exhibitions of cars of the time, etc. It takes place in the month of September. • Torremusic Festival: this festival serves as a shuttle for local groups. Concerts are organized during a weekend in various stages and environments according to the musical trend of the groups. It takes place at the Fairgrounds in the month of June. • Urban Festival: the festival that shows the panorama of 21st century urban culture organizes includes hip-hop concerts, breakdance area, graffiti area and other activities. It takes place at the Fairgrounds in autumn or spring. • Mari Puri Express international contest: this contest with a long history, welcomes proposals in the fields of photography, poetry, short story and comics of young people (between 13 and 30 years old) from all over the world. It is celebrated in the winter months. • Pepín Fernández tortilla contest: this is a gastronomic contest that is held within the Tortilla Day program. Participants must be imaginative and include at least one more ingredient apart from the potato, egg and onion. It will take place on February 3. • National Theater Contest for Stage Directors: this contest is held at the José María Rodero Municipal Theater, scheduling all the productions in competition. As the name suggests, the pieces should be directed only by women. The creation of this contest earned the municipality the recognition of the Madrid Federation of Municipalities, for its struggle for equality. It takes place in spring. • School Theater Exhibition: developed in the spring months, this exhibition allows schoolchildren in the municipality to show their interpretative skills and investigate the world of theater as an artistic and collective manifestation. • National Painting Contest City of Torrejón: this biannual contest promotes artistic creation, encounter, innovation and the exchange of experiences among artists from all over the country. • Chirigotas Regional Contest: this contest is aimed at groups of between 10 and 35 participants residing in the Community of Madrid who present an original and unpublished show (costumes and lyrics). • Local Contest of Plastic Arts and Photography: Also on a biannual basis, this contest seeks to encourage individual and collective work among the various artisanal and artistic specialties in order to develop innovative proposals, as well as promote new alternatives for the use of artisan processes and traditional materials and the access and experimentation of new working methods. It includes the modalities of painting, ceramics, textile, sculpture and photography. • In addition, the municipality participates in the cultural dissemination networks of the Community of Madrid, allowing the exhibition in the town of itinerant theatrical works, exhibitions, etc. developed by the Ministry of Culture.

Leisure Torrejón de Ardoz has the following options: • Cafes and Cocktail Bars: Souk of Lisbon Street, cafes and bars in the Juncal areas, Catalonia Park, Virgen de Loreto Avenue and several cocktail bars in the vicinity of Cervantes, Cantalarrana and Jabonería streets. • Nightclubs: located next to the Puente de los Americanos there is an area of large cocktail bars that open throughout the night. There are also nightclubs in the areas of La Solana and Barrio San José. • José María Rodero Municipal Theater: London Street, 3 • Municipal bullring: in the leisure park. • Europa Park: in addition to being a green area, it offers leisure activities such as children's areas, zip lines, navigable lake for boats, archery, laser labyrinth, etc. • Municipal exhibition halls: in the Plaza Mayor and in the different cultural centers. • El Círculo shopping center: Located in the centre of Torrejón on Avenida de la Constitución, 90. It has more than 20 small shops and specialized services, including computer science, professional sound, telephony, photographic studio, jewelry and clothing stores, shoe store, banking and dental clinic, among others. • Parque Corredor shopping center: on the M108 road to Ajalvir, it has Cine Yelmo cinemas and a bowling alley and 25 restaurants and bars, cafes and a gym. • Oasiz Madrid shopping center: on the 13th Nobel Prize Avenue, Cinesa has cinemas, a bowling alley, karting, gym, wind tunnel and 32 restaurants and cafes. • The city council also promotes a series of activities for young people of alternative leisure: Torrejón a Tope and Aula de Ocio y Naturaleza. • In addition, the Department of the Elderly has a complete program of cultural activities, trips, etc. for the elderly neighbors of the municipality.

Sport In Torrejón there are numerous grassroots and amateur soccer teams such as Peña Torrejonense San Isidro, AD Torrejón CF, Granada Park, La Plata, Torrepista CF or Juventud Torrejón.

Torrejón has several soccer fields, all of them made of artificial grass except those of the C.D. Joaquín Blume, which are made of dirt: • Las Veredillas Municipal Stadium, Calle de Turín, s/n • Las Fronteras soccer field, Calle de Salvador Allende, s/n • Football field C.D. Juan Antonio Samaranch, Calle de San Fernando, s/n • Soccer fields José María Gutiérrez Hernández - Guti, Calle de la Constitución, s/n • Football fields C.D. Joaquín Blume, Joaquín Blume street, s/n • Soccer fields 7 Florencia, calle de Florencia, s/n

As for Futsal, Torrejón has an important team, Torrejón Sala Five Play, currently in the national Second B (third national category) and with a youth in the Honor Division (maximum youth category), with a large quarry as well as an important hobby.

Torrejón has good facilities, among which the following stand out: • Javier Limones sports pavilion in the C.D. Joaquín Blume. • M-4 Sonia Abejón sports pavilion, calle de la Plata, s/n. • Jorge Garbajosa sports pavilion (next to the Parque Corredor shopping center) in which Inter Movistar (Inter Futsal) plays as a local futsal team. • Nuria Fernández sports pavilion in the C.D. Joaquín Blume, has three futsal courts. • José Antonio Paraíso sports pavilion.

The local futsal league has more than 65 teams competing in seven divisions, this means more than seven hundred futsal players. Torrejón has contributed an important part to the history of national futsal.

5 teams have competed in the highest national category Marsanz Torrejón with a European Cup, 1 League and 2 Spanish Cups, Interviú played some league in Torrejón although he is not originally from Torrejón, Carnicer Torrejón who has played the highest national category for 14 years playing on several occasions the playoff for the title and several Spanish Cups, Redislogar Contransa

In addition to the aforementioned facilities, there are for other sports: • C.D. Joaquín Blume: summer pools, indoor pool, rugby field, basketball courts, volleyball, futsal/handball, tennis, pediment, frontenis, a climbing wall and an athletics track (in poor condition), Joaquín Blume street s/n • C.D. London: indoor pool, training circuit, gym, paddle tennis courts and hockey skates. London Street, 11 • C.D. Juncal: velodrome, tennis courts, paddle tennis, basketball, volleyball and futsal/handball. The construction of a new pavilion is planned, London Street, 25 • C.D. Juan Antonio Samaranch: indoor pool, pool of waves (summer), soccer field and beach sports area, Calle San Fernando s/n • C.D. José Antonio Paraíso: it has a gym and a large multipurpose pavilion • La Solana Padel Club, Tenerife Street, 4 • Soto Torrejón paddle club, Jorge Oteiza Avenue, 3 • Athletics track of the Club Polideportivo Parque Cataluña: despite being private, it can be used with the ADM (Municipal Sports Pass) • Skating area of the leisure park

press • El Comarcal (periódico del Corredor del Henares) • The Digital Telescope (digital newspaper of the East Zone of Madrid) • Plaza Mayor Magazine • Plaza Torrejón (participatory municipal magazine)24 • 28850.es - La Voz de Torrejón (local print and digital media)25 • Other national and regional press

RADIO • &Radio (92.2 FM)26 • Onda Cero (Alcalá) • SER Henares (branch of the SER Chain) • 40 Principales Madrid • Kiss FM Madrid • Radio Marca • Europa FM (91.0FM) (Madrid) (87.5) (Alcalá) • Other national chains

TELEVISION • Henares TV, on the Internet • Deporteardoz, on the Internet • The main television networks of DTT, Torrespaña's repeater