The iconic Bulls of Guisando, over 2,000 years old, have remained intact after the flames ravaged the southwest area of the Community of Madrid. The fire has consumed thousands of hectares and threatens municipalities such as San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Aldea del Fresno.
The flames that have been battering the southwest of the Community of Madrid for days have left a scene of devastation, but also a symbol of resilience. The Bulls of Guisando, a set of four stone boars over two millennia old, have survived the fire that has scorched the pastures and forests around them. The zoomorphic sculpture, declared a Cultural Heritage Asset, stands unscathed amidst a blackened landscape.
The fire, which began last Thursday in the Sierra Oeste region, has already burned more than 8,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of several hundred residents from towns such as San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Aldea del Fresno, Villa del Prado, and Cadalso de los Vidrios. The flames, fanned by the wind and high temperatures, have put emergency services on high alert, working tirelessly to contain the spread of the fire.
According to sources from the Ministry of the Environment, the fire has spared the monument but has devastated much of the vegetation in the estate where it is located. The Bulls of Guisando, carved from granite between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC, have been silent witnesses to history: from the signing of the Treaty of the Bulls of Guisando in 1468 to the present day. Now, their silhouette stands out against a horizon of smoke and ashes.
The love for the land and animals has led many workers from the Madrid Safari Park, located in Aldea del Fresno, to risk their lives to save the park's species. According to eyewitnesses, the staff managed to evacuate most of the animals before the flames reached the facilities. However, the fire has caused material damage and left a deep emotional scar.
The fire has also affected areas of great ecological value, such as the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and the San Juan reservoir, a popular recreational spot for Madrileños. The flames have reached the shores of the reservoir, forcing the closure of access and the evacuation of bathers. The Alberche beach in Aldea del Fresno has been covered in ash, and the castle of San Martín de Valdeiglesias has been surrounded by fire, although firefighters managed to prevent it from burning.
For many residents in the area, the fire has destroyed not only their homes but also childhood memories. “We came here as children, with our parents, to spend the summer. Now everything is smoke and ash,” laments a resident of Aldea del Fresno, who has lost her home. Authorities have set up temporary shelters in nearby municipalities, such as Navalcarnero and Arroyomolinos, to accommodate the evacuees.
Experts point out that the meteorological conditions of recent days, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees and very low humidity, have favoured the spread of the fire. Additionally, the drought accumulated during winter and spring has left the forest dry, turning it into a powder keg. “This is not a normal fire; the virulence is extraordinary,” explains a spokesperson for the Community of Madrid Firefighters.
The president of the Community of Madrid has visited the area and promised aid for those affected. “We will be with them, to rebuild what has been lost,” he declared. Meanwhile, firefighting teams continue to work to control the active hotspots. It is expected that in the coming hours the wind will die down, which could facilitate the efforts.
The Bulls of Guisando, meanwhile, remain standing, as a reminder that, despite the devastation, history and culture can survive the flames. But the question that hangs in the air is how long it will take for the landscape to green again and how long it will take for lives to recover.
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