Virgin of Almudena facts for kids
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The Virgin of Almudena (which means Virgen de la Almudena in Spanish) is a very old statue of the Virgin Mary. She is known as the mother of Jesus Christ. Many people in Madrid, Spain, see her as their special protector, or "patroness."
The main church in Madrid, called the Almudena Cathedral, is named after her. Every year on November 9th, Madrid celebrates her feast day. This is a big holiday for the city! You can find copies of the statue that are used in parades, and newer versions in different places.
The very first statue of the Virgin of Almudena was lost a long time ago. The statue you see today was made in the 1500s. Experts believe a sculptor from the Netherlands named Diego Copín de Holanda created it around the year 1500. The name "Almudena" comes from an old Arabic word, Al-Mudayna, which means "the citadel" or "the fortress."
In 2022, after winning a big soccer championship, the famous Real Madrid team brought their trophy to the cathedral. They presented it before the statue to celebrate their victory.
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Amazing Legends of the Statue
There are many interesting stories and legends about the Virgin of Almudena statue. These stories have been passed down through generations.
The Apostle James and the Holy Statue
One legend says that the statue was brought to Spain in the year 38. It was supposedly carried from the Holy Land by James (also known as Santiago). He was one of Jesus's closest followers and his brother. Like many old and important religious items, this statue was believed to be very special. People thought it had magical or supernatural powers.
Hidden Away During War
Another famous story tells of a time in 712. Muslim armies were about to take over the town where the statue was kept. To keep the statue safe, the people of the town decided to hide it. They sealed the image of the Virgin inside the strong walls that surrounded their town.
Hundreds of years later, in the 11th century, Christian soldiers took back Madrid. This event was part of a long period called the Reconquista. The Christian soldiers really wanted to find the lost statue. They prayed for many days. Then, a miracle happened! A part of the wall where the statue was hidden suddenly crumbled. This revealed the statue, safe and sound.
Mary Leads the Way
There's another version of the legend about the Christian soldiers. As they got close to the town, they had a vision. They saw Mary, who seemed to be asking them to let her lead them into the city. Again, the wall miraculously fell apart. This time, the statue appeared, showing the soldiers a secret path through the city walls.
