The capital city of Spain, Madrid, has a regional public holiday denominated the feast of Our Lady of the Almudena on the 9th of November of each year. The day commemorates the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, for she is venerated as the patroness of Madrid.

The statue of the Virgin of Almudena –Virgen de la Almudena in Spanish– represents the Virgin Mary holding the Holy Child, Jesus; and its appellation is derived from the Arabic word “Al-Mudayna” which means the citadel.

People on that day take to the streets in a parade that passes through the streets of Arena and Mayor with the statue of the Virgin of Almudena, ending up at the Cathedral.