Virgin of Almudena

The Virgin Mary is regarded as a patroness of Madrid, Spain, under this title.

[3] Art historians attribute the statue now in the cathedral to the Netherlandish sculptor, Diego Copín de Holanda, who worked in Spain, around 1500.

[3] One story is that in 712, prior to the capture of the town by advancing Muslim forces, the inhabitants of the town sealed the image of the Virgin inside the walls surrounding the town for its own protection.In the 11th century, when Madrid was reconquered by King Alfonso VI of Castile, the Christian soldiers endeavored to find the statue.

After days of prayer, the spot on the wall hiding the icon crumbled, revealing the statue.

[4] Another legend is that as Christian soldiers approached the town, they had a vision of Mary imploring them to allow her to lead them into the city.