- Location: near the Retiro Park
- Coordinates: 40 ° 24'43 "s. w. 3 ° 41'13 "W. e.
To our great regret, our modern world is so imperfect that the monuments of sorrow are becoming more and more, even such beautiful ones as the "Forest of the Dead" (Bosque de los Ausentes or Bosque del Recuerdo - "The Forest of Remembrance") in Madrid .
Early in the morning of March 11, 2004 in Madrid, for many people, their relatives and friends, a happy moment of calm life ended. Three days before the elections to the Spanish Parliament, seven suicide bombers blew up four electric trains on the Atocha railway station . In total, 10 bombs were detonated in the trains and around the railway platforms of the station, three more later the metropolitan police found not working. As a result of the terrible tragedy, 191 people were killed, 1247 were injured, several dozen of them were permanently disabled. During the combat operation, a special forces soldier was killed, becoming 192 victims of the terrorist attack. Among the victims were a lot of immigrants from Eastern Europe and North Africa.
On the first anniversary of the terrible tragedy on March 11, 2005, the monarch of Spain Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia laid a memorable ribbon garland at the quiet opening ceremony of the memorial. One tape was a symbol of the national flag of Spain, the second carried a mourning inscription "To all victims of terror". It was decided to create a monument near the site of the terrorist attack in the area of the Atocha railway station, near the Retiro park . At the request of the relatives of the deceased, the event was held in complete silence, without speeches and loud farewells, only the cello played the song "Song of Birds" by Pablo Casals alone. The ceremony was attended by the heads of 12 states, members of international organizations and ambassadors of 16 states, whose citizens were killed in the bombings.
The memorial is an artificial hill, on which 192 trees were planted one by one for each soul of the deceased person: 22 olives and 170 cypress trees. The hill is surrounded by an artificial river, as a symbol of being and eternity, and on it there is a bridge for memory and sadness. Several paths lead down the hill, shops are equipped for visitors. Later the monument of sorrow was also called the "Forest of Remembrance".
There is a version that the tragedy in Madrid is connected with an unprecedented terrorist act in the USA on September 11, 2001. The explosions in Madrid have thundered exactly two and a half years or 911 days, symbolic 9/11, since the collapse of the twin towers and have Islamic roots. Atocha railway station has since been repeatedly reinforced security measures that apply to all without exception.
How to get there?
It will not be difficult to get to the memorial. It should be guided by the Retiro Park, which is located in the heart of the Spanish capital. So, to go to the "Forest of the Dead" can be on such public transport :
- by bus - No. 1, 2, 9, 15, 19, 20, 51, 52, 74, 146, 202;
- on the metro - station Retiro.
If you are afraid of getting confused in stops and stations, the next option is just for you - it's easy to reach the memorial by car on the coordinates. By the way, one of the most popular services for tourists in Madrid is car hire - inexpensive and very convenient!
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