Pablo Ráez Park

Pablo Ráez Park is a small neighborhood park in Madrid's Ciudad Lineal district, sitting within the barrio de la Concepción. It honors Pablo Ráez, a young man from Marbella who died on 25 February 2017 after a two-year fight against leukemia and who became a nationwide symbol of resilience and a driving force behind bone marrow donation awareness in Spain.

Where exactly is the park located?

The park sits on calle Juan Pérez Zúñiga 2, in a quiet, mostly residential pocket of Ciudad Lineal, close to the heart of barrio de la Concepción. Surrounded by typical Madrid apartment blocks from the 1960s and 70s, an area with relatively little public greenery, the park functions mainly as a local rest spot for residents rather than a large-scale tourist attraction.

Why is the park named after Pablo Ráez?

The Junta Municipal del Distrito de Ciudad Lineal approved the naming decision in spring 2017, shortly after Ráez's death. The young man from Marbella had gained national attention through his social media campaign "Siempre fuerte" ("Always strong"), run throughout his illness, urging people to register as potential bone marrow donors. The campaign triggered a marked rise in donor registrations across Spain, and the park was created as a lasting tribute to that message.

What can you actually see there?

The park was officially inaugurated on 26 April, timed to coincide with what would have been Pablo Ráez's birthday. At the opening ceremony, a monolith bearing his name was unveiled, and his family — together with the district's then-council president, Yolanda Rodríguez — planted an olive tree brought specifically from Marbella, his hometown, as a symbolic nod to his roots. Beyond that, the space is a straightforward neighborhood green: benches, walking paths and lawns, without elaborate recreational facilities. It reads as a place for reflection and remembrance rather than a playground or entertainment venue.

Is it worth visiting as a tourist?

Pablo Ráez Park is not a must-see stop on a standard Madrid itinerary — there are no monuments or scenic viewpoints to speak of. Its appeal lies elsewhere: it's an authentic piece of recent local social history, of interest to visitors curious about how Madrid neighborhoods commemorate contemporary figures, or to anyone looking for a quiet corner away from the tourist center. For Ciudad Lineal residents, it remains primarily a spot for a daily stroll or a dog walk, with the memorial monolith as its focal point.

How do you get there?

The metro is the most convenient option — both Ciudad Lineal station (Line 5) and La Concepción station (Line 7) are within a reasonable walking distance. The area is also well served by EMT city buses running through barrio de la Concepción. Since this is a residential district, a daytime visit is the practical choice.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Pablo Ráez? He was a young man from Marbella who died in 2017 after a two-year battle with leukemia. He became known nationally for his "Siempre fuerte" campaign, which encouraged people to register as bone marrow donors.

Where exactly is the park located? On calle Juan Pérez Zúñiga 2, in the barrio de la Concepción, within Madrid's Ciudad Lineal district.

What does the monolith in the park commemorate? Unveiled at the park's opening on 26 April 2017, the monolith bears Pablo Ráez's name and stands beside an olive tree brought from his hometown of Marbella.

Are there tourist attractions inside the park? No — it's a small residential park without tourist infrastructure. Its main value is symbolic and commemorative rather than scenic or recreational.