We first learned of the fiesta when we discovered the mercado San Anton that we had planned to explore that August morning, was closed for the day, as were all other food markets and shops. We switched plans and went in search of Madrid’s origins instead, at the San Isidro museum (A little gem that’s home to a few Roman mosaics and the remnants of the miraculous well, where Madrid’s patron saint is believed to have called forth water).
It was a local, walking her dog in the still sleepy square outside, who suggested we return later in the day to take part in the celebrations. By afternoon La Latina was transformed. Much of its main roads closed to traffic and taken over by bars and food stalls.
Up on Calle la Paloma, just off the Gran Via de San Francisco, the devout were lined up in front of the Iglesia Virgen de la Paloma , trying to catch a glimpse of the portrait of the Virgin all decked up for the evening parade.
The simple painting was supposedly found discarded in a corral by a group of children sometime in the 18th century. It was bought off them by Isabel Tintero, who hung it on her front door, where it became a neighbourhood tradition for passersby to offer prayers and seek intervention in their troubles. The steady increase in the number of her devotees, necessitated the shifting of the Virgin, initially to a small chapel and by 1912, to a dedicated church on a street named after her. Isabel Tintero is immortalised in the name of the perpendicular street directly leading to the iglesia.
The five day La Paloma fiesta, celebrated each year between August 11 – 15, is said to be the most traditional and liveliest of all Madrid festivals. We discovered how lively when we returned after early dinner to find the parties in full swing. The entire city seemed to have sashayed on to the streets, high on laughter and on fun. And beer. There was a lull as La Paloma passed by on her grand parade, accompanied by senior Madrileños in traditional costume. Only to pick up again to carry on into the wee hours of the morning.
The soundtrack of the following video is original and unedited.


Happy fiesta to my Spanish readers!
And wishing all my Indian – and Pakistani – friends, ‘freedom’ in every sense of the word. Happy Independence day!
Wonderful street capture. I loved it.
Thanks
Talent hunter
Glad you did. Many thanks 🙂
Looks like it was a fun fiesta to participate. You photos really brings out the celebration and its energy. Beaufiful images.
Otto, thank you very much. Sincere apologies for the much belated response.
No worries. 🙂
My eyes are on the food 😉
Ha ha, yes the food was a bonus. Thanks Joshi.
I thought I’d missed this one, Madhu. I was on my way to Shropshire for a non-special wedding anniversary (but they all are 🙂 ) whilst my daughter was in Krakow, meeting Polish family. It was a holiday there too. 🙂 You have to love the spontaneous way that dancing breaks out and I love those proud oldies, strutting their stuff. 🙂 And we all want to take the little dancing queen home!
Where are you now?
That dancing queen stole our hearts 🙂
Belated anniversary wishes to you both Jo. Ours was on the 20th. I clubbed it with an invitation to review a wildlife resort, so not quite as unspecial as usual 🙂 Any chance of your returning to Portugal in early October?
We arrive on 11th. Too late for you? 😦