Festivals in San Isidro en Madrid
San Isidro is the great patron saint celebration of Madrid. Every May combines the pilgrimage and religious events dedicated to the holy farmer with festivals, concerts and traditional customs open to neighbors and visitors.
Celebration date
The main day is 15 May, festival of San Isidro Labrador. The municipal programme usually extends for several days around that date. 15 May is a local public holiday in the city when approved by the official calendar; This administrative declaration must be distinguished from the centuries-old tradition of the festival.
Main places
The pilgrimage has its centre in the Pradera de San Isidro, the park and the hermitage of the Saint, in Carabanchel. The fountain located next to the hermitage retains an essential role in popular devotion. Religious events also reach the Royal Collegiate Church of San Isidro and the historic centre, while the cultural programming usually uses settings such as the Plaza Mayor, the Vistillas gardens and Matadero Madrid.
Also check out the festivals of Madrid.
Origin and history
Isidro was a Madrid farmer from the 11th and 12th centuries, married to Santa María de la Cabeza, to whom tradition attributes various miracles. One of them says that he made water flow to quench the thirst of his lord, Iván de Vargas. This narrative explains the pilgrimage to the fountain next to the hermitage.
The Madrid City Council documents the construction of a hermitage in 1528 and the first pilgrimages in the meadow in 1575. The hermitage was renovated in 1725. Over the centuries, the religious pilgrimage and the picnic were integrated into an urban festival for the entire city.
Pilgrimage, water and religious events
Tradition mandates going to the meadow, visiting the hermitage and drinking water from the Saint's fountain. On 15 May, masses, the blessing of water and other events of the Archconfraternity are celebrated. The procession of San Isidro and Santa María de la Cabeza runs through the historic centre from the Royal Collegiate Church.
Chulapos, chotis y ambiente castizo
Chulapos and chulapas wear traditional clothing: parpusa, vest and pants on them; chiné dress, shawl, handkerchief and carnation in them. The street organ, the chotis, the festivals, the parades of giants and big heads and the traditional groups keep the popular imagination of Madrid alive.
Comida típica
The day on the prairie is associated with silly and clever doughnuts, Santa Clara and French. Wafers, lemonade and Madrid dishes such as cocido are also common. The positions and specific proposals depend on the authorization and the programme of each edition.
Quién organiza y participa
The Madrid City Council organises the cultural programming and coordinates the festive venues. In the religious dimension, the Archdiocese, the Royal Collegiate Church and the Pontifical and Royal Archconfraternity of San Pedro, San Andrés and San Isidro participate. Traditional associations, artists, merchants, hoteliers, families, neighbors and visitors join in.