Saint Isidro Fountain

The spring already existed in the 12th century, when there was news of the curative properties of the water that Saint Isidro had miraculously made flow by hitting the ground with his stick to quench the thirst of his master, Iván de Vargas. From 27 October 2021, the natural spring is open all year round from 9am to 3pm, following restoration work to improve sanitation and maintenance, in accordance with the sanitary measures required by Madrid’s City Council and Regional Government.  

The custom of farm labourers prior to the construction of Saint Isidro chapel, consisted of drinking the water that flowed from the fountain, believing it to be miraculous.  Empress Isabel of Portugal wanted to try the virtues that the people of Madrid attributed to the water and after drinking from the spring, Emperor Carlos and their son, the future King Felipe II were cured of their ailments. Grateful for the healing of her husband and son, Queen Isabel ordered a new chapel to be built in honour of the Saint in 1528.

Soon the devotion for Saint Isidro of the labourers and the people of Madrid gave rise to the pilgrimage.  At first, it was only a procession to the Saint Isidro Chapel to drink the miraculous water, worship the relics of the saint and eat in the surrounding area, but went on to become an important religious and leisure commemoration.

Prior to 15 May, the Patron Saint’s Day, the Sacramental Arch Confraternity of Saint Peter, Saint Andrew and Saint Isidro organises the blessing of the water in the garden of the miracle fountain adjacent to the Chapel, inviting ecclesiastic and civil authorities with the presence of a different sponsor each year with a popular act that is well attended by citizens.