El antiguo Hipódromo de la Castellana de Madrid se inauguró el 31 de enero de 1878 haciéndolo coincidir con los fastos de la boda real entre el Rey Alfonso XII y doña María de las Mercedes de Orleans y Borbón.
Su situación era la de los actuales Nuevos Ministerios, cuya superficie coincide con el espacio dejado por las desaparecidas instalaciones hípicas.
Disponía de dos tribunas para los espectadores más selectos, frente a las que se encontraba la explanada dedicada al público en general.
La cuerda del óvalo central medía 1.400 metros y el director de las obras fue el ingeniero Francisco Boguerín.
(Una carrera en 1.929)
Fue lugar de encuentro de la alta burguesía, la aristocracia y la sociedad madrileña más encopetada que deseaba darse postín.
Que mejor que un día en “las carreras” para relacionarse y mostrarse en sociedad. Cuentan Publio López Mondejar y Pilar Portero que “el Hipódromo de principios de siglo no reducía su actividad a carreras de caballos o a competiciones hípicas, aunque ese supusiera su principal uso. En ese perfecto césped rapado al uno, la alta burguesía y la aristocracia paseaban su estirado palmito y repasaban sus preocupaciones."
Así, -prosiguen- “el duque de Alba, presidente de la Sociedad Madrid Polo Club organizaba allí gimkanas y partidos de polo siguiendo las costumbres de las clases pudientes británicas. Jóvenes casaderas, apuestos pretendientes y padres interesados en la confluencia de intereses mediante el matrimonio, se citaban en el hipódromo. Las tertulias, vetadas para las féminas, ampliaban su radio de acción durante el estío extendiéndose a lugares más frescos.”
Foto de 1905 del Hipódromo de la Castellana. Al fondo se puede ver el antiguo Palacio Nacional de las Artes y las Industrias, con la cúpula destacando en el centro :
Con la Restauración, se decidió construir un gran hipódromo en la ciudad que aglutinara todas estas carreras.
El Hipódromo de la Castellana se convirtió en uno de los lugares favoritos de la alta sociedad madrileña, y era frecuentado por la familia real, la cual, tenía una tribuna propia en su interior.
El recinto también se utilizó, como era habitual en la época, para otro tipo de actividades más populares, además de las propiamente caballísticas. Allí se celebraron competiciones de football y exhibiciones aéreas, éstas últimas de gran peligropara el público asistente.
Se cerró el Hipódromo en 1933, procediéndose a su derribo para la ampliación del Ensanche por el norte de la Castellana que se topaba con él.
Alguna prensa responsabilizó de su derribo a “la iracundia ministerial“, que creaba un grandísimo mal, arrasando con los desvelos y los intereses allí acumulados trás honrado trabajo.
(Foto aérea de Madrid en 1.929, se aprecia el hipódromo al final del paseo de La Castellana)
De todos modos, el “hipismo” madrileño (esta denominación cambiaría su significado corriendo el último tercio del siglo XX, como bien se colegirá), no debía estar de luto, pués en menos de una década abriría sus puertas el nuevo Hipódromo de la Zarzuela, en las inmediaciones de El Pardo.
Carreras en el Hipódromo de la Castellana en una foto de 1914:
La fotografía de abajo es de una carrera en el Hipódromo, aproximádamente de 1929 :
Maspalomas, un simple aficionado.
El texto y algunas imágenes proceden de :
http://urbancidades.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/hipodromo-de-la-castellana-de-madrid-1878-1933/ ----
The ancient Hippodrome de la Castellana in Madrid was inaugurated on January 31, 1878 to coincide with the pomp of the royal wedding between King Alfonso XII and Maria de las Mercedes de Orleans y Borbón.
Their position was that of the current Nuevos Ministerios, whose surface coincides with the space left by the missing equestrian facilities.Had two grandstands for spectators finest, against which the square was dedicated to the public.
The central oval rope measuring 1,400 meters and the director of the works was the engineer Francisco Boguerín.It was the meeting of the gentry, the aristocracy and society more swanky Madrid wanted be posh.What better than a day "races" to interact and displayed in society.
They Publio López and Pilar Portero Mondejar "the beginning of the century Hippodrome did not reduce its activity to horse racing or horse races, even if that meant his main use. In that perfect lawn shaved to one, the gentry and aristocracy walked his stretched palm and overhauled their concerns. "Thus, he continues, "the Duke of Alba, president of the Madrid Polo Club organized there gimkanas and polo matches following the customs of the British upper classes.
Marriageable young, handsome suitors and parents interested in the confluence of interests through marriage, were cited at the racetrack. The gatherings, banned for females, extending its range during the summer ranging coolest places. "
With the Restoration, it was decided to build a great racetrack in the city that brought together all these races.Hippodrome de la Castellana became one of the favorite places of Madrid's high society and was frequented by the royal family, which had a platform in its own interior.
The venue was also used as usual at the time, for other popular activities in addition to the actual caballísticas. There were held football competitions and air shows, the latter of great peligropara the audience.
Hippodrome closed in 1933, proceeding to its demolition for the expansion of the North Eixample de la Castellana that ran into him.Some press blamed the shooting down "the ministerial wrath", which created a great evil, wiping out the efforts and the interest accrued there behind honest labor.
Anyway, the "horse racing" in Madrid (this name change its meaning running the last third of the twentieth century, as is well in known), should not mourn, because in less than a decade would open the new Zarzuela Hippodrome in the vicinity of El Pardo.
Careers at the Hippodrome de la Castellana in a photo of 1914:Photo of 1905 the Hippodrome de la Castellana. In the background you can see the old National Palace of Arts and Industries, highlighting the dome in the center:
Their position was that of the current Nuevos Ministerios, whose surface coincides with the space left by the missing equestrian facilities.Had two grandstands for spectators finest, against which the square was dedicated to the public.
The central oval rope measuring 1,400 meters and the director of the works was the engineer Francisco Boguerín.It was the meeting of the gentry, the aristocracy and society more swanky Madrid wanted be posh.What better than a day "races" to interact and displayed in society.
They Publio López and Pilar Portero Mondejar "the beginning of the century Hippodrome did not reduce its activity to horse racing or horse races, even if that meant his main use. In that perfect lawn shaved to one, the gentry and aristocracy walked his stretched palm and overhauled their concerns. "Thus, he continues, "the Duke of Alba, president of the Madrid Polo Club organized there gimkanas and polo matches following the customs of the British upper classes.
Marriageable young, handsome suitors and parents interested in the confluence of interests through marriage, were cited at the racetrack. The gatherings, banned for females, extending its range during the summer ranging coolest places. "
With the Restoration, it was decided to build a great racetrack in the city that brought together all these races.Hippodrome de la Castellana became one of the favorite places of Madrid's high society and was frequented by the royal family, which had a platform in its own interior.
The venue was also used as usual at the time, for other popular activities in addition to the actual caballísticas. There were held football competitions and air shows, the latter of great peligropara the audience.
Hippodrome closed in 1933, proceeding to its demolition for the expansion of the North Eixample de la Castellana that ran into him.Some press blamed the shooting down "the ministerial wrath", which created a great evil, wiping out the efforts and the interest accrued there behind honest labor.
Anyway, the "horse racing" in Madrid (this name change its meaning running the last third of the twentieth century, as is well in known), should not mourn, because in less than a decade would open the new Zarzuela Hippodrome in the vicinity of El Pardo.
Careers at the Hippodrome de la Castellana in a photo of 1914:Photo of 1905 the Hippodrome de la Castellana. In the background you can see the old National Palace of Arts and Industries, highlighting the dome in the center:
Maspalomas, just an amateur.
The text and some images from:
http://urbancidades.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/hipodromo-de-la-castellana-de-madrid-1878-1933/
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