Colonia | Losmolinos

At the end of the 19th century a train line linked Los Molinos and other towns in the area to Madrid. The station was at some distance from the town, but soon a neighbourhood of holiday homes (a colonia) developed around it, enabling well-to-do Madrileños to escape the summer heat of the city. They were built using the local granite. They are urbanite fantasies of rural architecture. Many are still standing, in varying states of repair, proudly resisting the onslaught of modern dross. The area is no longer as fashionable as it once was. For some of us, the slight air of neglect adds to the appeal.

The road linking the railway station to the town. The mountains in the background.		Back streets of la colonia
	At the end of the 19th century a minor aristocrat built six houses in Los Molinos for his six daughters, on the road down from the station. Five are still standing, "the baron's houses". This is one of them.	Dolores Ibárruri, la Pasionaria, spent the last summers of her life in this house.
	So playful. Almost Mediterranean	Luis Rodríguez de Quevedo was a municipal architect in the middle of the 20th century. He designed some of the main pubic buildings of the town, including the town hall, the school and the cemetery. He also designed many private residences, in a characteristic style.

The road linking the railway station to the town. The mountains in the background.

Back streets of la colonia

At the end of the 19th century a minor aristocrat built six houses in Los Molinos for his six daughters, on the road down from the station. Five are still standing, "the baron's houses". This is one of them.

Dolores Ibárruri, la Pasionaria, spent the last summers of her life in this house.

So playful. Almost Mediterranean

Luis Rodríguez de Quevedo was a municipal architect in the middle of the 20th century. He designed some of the main pubic buildings of the town, including the town hall, the school and the cemetery. He also designed many private residences, in a characteristic style.