Madrid Prepares For Almudena´s Feast Day

As on every November 9th, the city of Madrid celebrates it´s patron, the Virgen of the Almudena.

This year, coincides with her 75th anniversary of her cannonisation and both Madrid City Council and Archdioses of Madrid have announced a specially enhanced programme of religious and cultural events to celebrate.

The main features of the celebrations will be held on her feast day on Thursday 9th which is public holiday in the capital ( though not Communidad).

The cathedral of Santa Maria de la Real de la Almudena will take centre stage for the High Mass and traditional procession of her image that leaves from the main door through the Plaza de Almudena after the Eucharist.

She will be held by 80 worshippers from the brotherhood of Jesús el Pobre who will carry her on their shoulders in a solemn procession from the cathedral to the Plaza Mayor and back.

The route which begins at 11 in the morning goes up the Calle Mayor to the Plaza and then back by the Plaza de Ramales to the Plaza de Oriente and the Royal Palace.

As is traditional there will also be a floral offering in the Plaza de la Almudena throughout the day.

Some 1,500 specially made Corona de Almudena cakes will be given away in the Plaza Mayor during the Thursday procession.

In addition this year, the city´s culture and tourism department, has organized a programme of free activities in her honour including three classical music concerts.

According to her legend, the spot of the apparition of the Virgin Mary was made into a statue and hidden in the city walls until Madrid was reconquered by Christian troops under the command of Alfonso VI of Castille.

Today the statue can be seen inside the cathedral.

So expect the historic centre to be filled with chulapos and chulapas, feasting on roasted castañas y and freshy made buñuelos – washed down with a festive amount of wine!

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