The municipality presents a largely flat relief. The main hydrographic features are the Guadarrama river at the western end of the municipality and several of the latter's left bank tributary creeks, including the Arroyo del Soto and the Arroyo de los Combos. It lies at 660 metres above sea level.
History
It was founded most probably circa 1085–1137, after the Christian seizure of the Kingdom of Toledo as it was not mentioned in the chronicles compiling the villages seized in the conquest. Written mentions to the village in the Middle Ages, since its foundation up to the late-15th century are limited. By the beginning of the 16th century, it was part of the Land of Toledo. Móstoles became famous as, although it was only a small village, its municipal authorities called for a general rebellion against the French forces on 2 May 1808 immediately after the Dos de Mayo Uprising in the Spanish capital, reportedly issuing the following public announcement signed by the Mayor: "The homeland is in danger. Madrid is perishing, victim of the French perfidiousness. Spaniards, turn to save her". The municipality experienced a slow and steady population growth during the first half of the 20th century, followed by a huge demographic expansion from the 1960s onwards.
Main sights
Historical landmarks
Two of the most architectural landmarks in Móstoles are churches; the church of La Asunción de Nuestra Señora features a Mudéjarapse. The Baroquehermitage of La Virgen de los Santos dates from the 17th century. There is a sculpture by Aurelio Carretero paying homage to Andrés Torrejón inaugurated in 1908 to mark the one hundredth anniversary of the Dos de Mayo uprising.
Museums and galleries
Móstoles is the home of the Community of Madrid's modern art gallery, the Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo. It was opened in 2008 to mark the two hundredth anniversary of the Dos de Mayo uprising. The residence of Andrés Torrejón was rehabilitated by the city council and turned into a museum.
Transportation
Móstoles is connected to other suburbs and to central Madrid by:
There is cycling infrastructure within central Móstoles. Funds were made available in 2017 to upgrade these cycleways. It is also possible to cycle into the nearby countryside. The railway line originally continued to Almorox, but the section beyond Móstoles was closed in the 1960s. Between Móstoles-El Soto railway station and Navalcarnero the track has been converted into a greenway for cyclists and walkers. The route crosses the river Guadarrama on an iron bridge. The via verde connects to a waymarked long distance walk to Guadalupe in Extremadura. The waymarking is recent, but it marks a traditional route from Madrid to the Our Lady of Guadalupe pilgrimage site.
