Seven essential spots in San Isidro

chulapos

Every May 15, Madrid celebrates the patron saint festivities of San Isidro. What began as a pilgrimage to the hermitage of the city's patron, is currently a festival lasting almost a week where the most traditional tradition is mixed with an agenda of cultural and leisure activities of the most varied colors. The inhabitants of the capital dress up in their chulapos costumes and take to the streets ready to fully enjoy the entire festive program that combines modernity and tradition.

History of the Fiesta de San Isidro

May is the month in which the city of Madrid celebrates its festivals in honor of San Isidro Labrador, patron saint of the town and the farmers. More than a hundred miracles are attributed to his figure, one of the most outstanding is the gift of finding water easily where it was scarce.. In fact, the celebrations of these May holidays revolve around the relationship between water and the saint. The pilgrimage takes place in the Pradera de San Isidro and in the surrounding streets, and it is customary for the chulapos to drink the miraculous water that flows from a spring next to the Hermitage of San Isidro.

This tradition is mixed with that of snacking on donuts and lemonade in the prairies of San Isidro. The typical donuts from which to choose are the 'silly' (with egg), the 'lists' (with egg and covered in icing sugar), those from Santa Clara (with a layer of white meringue) and the French ones (with almonds). As for lemonade, the Madrilenian brings wine, lemon, sugar and chopped fruit (usually apple).

San Isidro Museum

san isidro museum

To discover these popular festivals so linked to the history of Madrid, there is nothing better than visiting the San Isidro Museum to learn the origins of the city and its growth to the present. There is a permanent exhibition but, in addition, conferences and activities related to the popular traditions of the capital are organized.

In the Prado Museum you can find the famous paintings in which Francisco de Goya represented, back in the XNUMXth century, how the San Isidro festivities were lived in Madrid. It is curious to observe how it was done in a very different way than today, although with the same enthusiasm.

Plaza de la Villa

town square

The Plaza de la Villa is one of the best-preserved monumental complexes in Madrid. It is located in the historic center, near Puerta del Sol and has been the seat of the City Council of the capital. This is where the San Isidro festivities begin, since the opening proclamation of the festivities is offered every year from its balcony, which, with exceptions, is always held on May 14.

It was one of the main centers of medieval Madrid. There are three buildings of great historical-artistic value: the Casa y Torre de los Lujanes (1425th century), the Casa de Cisneros (1474th century) and the Casa de la Villa (XNUMXth century). In the XNUMXth century, the Plaza adopted its current name, coinciding with the granting of the title of Noble and Loyal Villa received by Madrid, from the hands of King Enrique IV of Castile (XNUMX-XNUMX).

Prairie of San Isidro

Meadow

This park is the center of the celebration since here is the hermitage of the saint who is honored during the festivities. In addition to the traditional pilgrimage and the long queues to drink miraculous water from the hermitage, there is also a large fairground with food booths and fairground attractions. Many people from Madrid gather in this park in the Carabanchel neighborhood to have picnics with family and friends, taking advantage of the good weather on these dates.

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor of Madrid

Before Madrid was a modern capital, the layout of its streets was medieval with small, narrow streets and passageways. This arcaded square is the heart of Madrid de los Austrias and the old part of the city.

The Plaza Mayor began to be built on the site of the old Plaza del Arrabal, where the most popular market in the city was located at the end of the 1617th century. In XNUMX, the architect Juan Gómez de Mora was commissioned to establish uniformity in the buildings in this place, which for centuries has hosted popular acts, bullfights, beatifications and coronations, among other events.

During San Isidro, the Plaza Mayor becomes the scene of traditional zarzuelas and modern music since the program reserves a space for pop music with the Primavera Pop festival of the station Los40.

Gardens of the Vistillas

The most avant-garde programming is concentrated in this enclave., away from the traditional chotis and zarzuelas. The Rock Villa Awards in Madrid, theater for children and sustainability workshops stand out.

Buen Retiro Park

Outings in El Retiro

On the occasion of San Isidro, the Parque del Buen Retiro adorns its nights with a lot of color, music and lights. During the weekend of celebrations, its popular pond is the scene of a fireworks display that are synchronized with the music and are reflected in the water. Without a doubt, one of the most spectacular plans of the San Isidro festivities. During the day, band concerts are also held at the Bandstand.

Sales Square

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

The Plaza Monumental de Las Ventas hosts during the month of May what is considered one of the most prestigious bullfighting events in Spain. On the poster are the most prominent bullfighters on the national scene and up to here, in addition to anonymous fans, characters from politics, culture and Madrid high society who enjoy this show always come.


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