Dehesa de la Villa park, located to the northwest of the city, by the area of Ciudad Universitaria, has some impressive views over Madrid and its mountain range that can be enjoyed from this viewing point, popularly known as El Cerro de los Locos or El Cerro de Las Balas, which was reincorporated into the park in 1998.
In the late 19th century, it became known as El Cerro de las Balas (Bullet Hill) due to its proximity to the National Shooting Society range, in the countryside of La Moncloa (now Ciudad Universitaria), and many stray bullets were lost in the area. Later, in around the 1920s, it became known as El Cerro de los Locos (Crazy Fool Hill) because it was frequented by a group of bullfighters, who would go there to get in shape, run races, leap about and do cartwheels. They were later joined by athletes and boxers who, given the lack of gyms and the high prices of existing ones, would train there for free.
Cerro de los Locos was also a strategic place in the defence of Madrid during the Civil War, and remains of trenches and shelters can still be seen today. After the war, it was once again frequented by athletes and bullfighters.
Later, the electric tower was installed at the top of the hill (today a telephone tower), and the walls surrounding it were used to play ball games such as la pelota vasca and fronton by local sporting enthusiasts. There is a plaque commemorating the fact that this picturesque training site has been used for more than one hundred years.
Thanks to the former acrobat Ángel Vázquez, a regular visitor to the hill since he was a lad, plants, trees, tables and benches have been brought to this area, along with equipment for practising sport.
Dehesa de la Villa Viewpoint
Very close to El Cerro de los Locos, on one of the bends in the old road arond Dehesa de la Villa, there is another beautiful viewpoint, with a park information panel, from which you can enjoy stunning views over the western part of Madrid, especially as the sun is setting.
