Salt + Light Media Menu
Salt + Light Media Home
Magnifying Glass
coverPhoto
Premium content

Asset title

Asset description

Madrid: Spain's Capital, decidedly.

Alicia Ambrosio

Friday, February 18, 2011

Did you know that Madrid was not originally the capital of Spain? Toledo was the home of the royal court and thus the capital city. It was in 1561 when Phillip II moved the royal court to Madrid, making it the capital. With that move, new buildings were commissioned so that Madrid would have everything a capital city needed. One thing was missing though – a cathedral. Madrid was still considered part of the dioceses of Toledo and as such did got have its own cathedral.
In fact, it was until only in 1883 that King Alfonso XII laid the first stone of the new cathedral. John Paul II consecrated it in 1993. Even so, Madrid was a diocese within the ecclesiastical province of Toledo. It was only in 1971 that the Archdiocese of Madrid–Alcala' was created. The Archdiocese of Madrid as we know it today was only created in 1991 when Alcala' was given its own diocese.
Today's Cathedral of Our Lady of Almudena stands on the site of what was a granary when the city was under Morrish rule and, later, a small church. The Arab word for that location was “almud” or “almudith”, hence the church that was built there was called the church “of almudena”. Legend has it that when St. James came to Spain from Jerusalem, he placed a statue of Our Lady in this little church and over time it disappeared.
After the reconquering of Madrid in 1085, King Alfonso VI decided to find that statue hidden by St. James. The king organized a procession along the fortress walls of Madrid asking God to reveal the hidden statue. As the procession was passing before a stretch of wall belonging to the former Arab granary, some rocks came tumbling down off the wall revealing a hollow space in the wall. In that hollow niche was the statue of the dark skinned Virgin, with two candles on either side that were still lit. From that day onward, Our Lady of Almudena was considered to be the patroness of Madrid. That day was November 9th and every year on that day the faithful of Madrid celebrate their patroness with a procession through the city centre.
It is in this cathedral that Pope Benedict XVI will meet with seminarians during World Youth Day.


Related Articles:

Category: General Posts, World Youth Day

Pray with Pope Francis Reflection – February 2025

Friday, February 7, 2025

Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ

Pope Francis invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life. 

Pray with Pope Francis Reflection – January 2025

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ

Pope Francis invites us to pray for the right to an education for migrants, refugees and those affected by war; that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, may always be respected.

What the CND sisters are looking forward to this Christmas

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Maria Montemayor

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the CND sisters and enjoy a special lunch of soup, pizza, salad, and dessert. While I was there, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask the sisters about what they were looking forward to this Christmas.

Pray with Pope Francis Reflection – December 2024

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ

In this month of December, Pope Francis asks us to pray for pilgrims of hope: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

In Memoriam: The Most Rev. Frederick Bernard Henry, Bishop Emeritus of Calgary

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

We at Salt + Light Media are saddened to hear that Bishop Frederick Henry has recently died. We pray for the repose of his soul, for the Catholic community in Calgary and southern Alberta, and all who mourn.

SUPPORT LABEL

Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Copyright © 2025 Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
Registered Charity # 88523 6000 RR0001
FR | CH