Jardín de los Combatientes de la Nueve, Madrid

Jardín de los Combatientes de la Nueve is a small memorial garden in Madrid, located in the Ciudad Lineal district, in the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood. It honors the soldiers of "La Nueve" – the 9th Company of the 2nd Armored Division of Free France, made up almost entirely of Spanish Republican exiles who were the first Allied troops to enter liberated Paris.

What does this garden commemorate?

The park's name refers to one of the most striking episodes of the Second World War tied to Spanish history. "La Nueve" was the popular name for the 9th Company of General Philippe Leclerc's armored division – a unit in which around 150 Spanish Republicans served after being forced into exile following the Spanish Civil War. On 24 August 1944, these men became the first Allied soldiers to enter the French capital, playing an active role in its liberation from German occupation. Of the unit's roughly 160 members, 146 were Spaniards – a fact largely absent from official accounts of the liberation of Paris for decades, only more widely recognized by historians and the public in recent years.

The Madrid garden was created as a lasting tribute to these soldiers and their contribution to European history. The Madrid city council chose to name the space after them, creating a place that links local memory with international history – a rare example of such a direct connection between a Madrid neighborhood and events that unfolded hundreds of kilometers away, in occupied Paris.

How to get there?

The garden sits on Calle Hermanos García Noblejas in the Ciudad Lineal district, in a quiet residential part of eastern Madrid. This is an area away from the city's main tourist routes, which makes it an interesting stop for visitors looking for less obvious sites tied to 20th-century history. The easiest way to reach it is by public transport – metro or bus toward Ciudad Lineal, followed by a short walk into the neighborhood. The surrounding area has a typical residential character, with apartment blocks and local shops, so a visit here pairs well with a walk through an authentic, non-commercial part of the city.

What will you see there?

This is a small, intimate green space with a memorial character, designed primarily as a place for reflection rather than an elaborate tourist attraction. The garden was officially opened in April 2017, with an inauguration ceremony attended jointly by then-mayor of Madrid Manuela Carmena and the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo – a symbolic meeting of two cities bound together by the history of "La Nueve." The presence of both mayors at the opening underscores the significance both capitals attached to this act of remembrance.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the nature of the place – a small memorial park rather than a major attraction with tourist infrastructure – it's best visited on quiet days, when you can take a moment for reflection without hurrying. There are no seasonal restrictions typical of enclosed sites; as an open space, it is accessible year-round during daylight hours, when the neighborhood is alive with everyday local life.

Frequently asked questions

Who were "Los Combatientes de la Nueve"? Soldiers of the 9th Company of the 2nd Armored Division of Free France (the Leclerc Division), composed mainly of exiled Spanish Republicans, who on 24 August 1944 became the first troops to enter liberated Paris.

Where exactly is the garden located? In Madrid, in the Ciudad Lineal district, in the Pueblo Nuevo area, on Calle Hermanos García Noblejas.

When was this park opened? The garden was officially inaugurated in April 2017, with Madrid mayor Manuela Carmena and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo both in attendance.

Is it worth combining a visit with other sights in Ciudad Lineal? Yes – it's a good opportunity to see a less touristy, authentic part of Madrid and learn about local history connected to the Spanish exile and the Second World War.