San Isidro-Patron Saint of Madrid 15^th May

Obviously Madrid is the best place to enjoy the festivities, which begin from the Friday before the 15^th, when the Mayor starts the proceedings with a speech. The numerous celebrations continue until the Sunday following when an enormous 'cocido Madrileno' is prepared and served. 

The dish can be traced back many centuries and has evolved over many years to what is today a chick-pea based stew containing vegetables, chorizo, morcilla de carne, (black pudding) pork belly, tocino, and bones from ork or beef. The night of San Isidro is given up to drinking and celebrating. 
 

The fiesta also heralds the opening of the cities bullfighting season and the top matadors and breeders congregate to prepare. The citizens of Madrid dress themselves in the traditional dress of the city. The men wearing a flat checked cap, a waistcoat and neckerchief with the women dressed elegantly in long dresses, shawl and head scarf. 

Around the streets in central Madrid, the organ-grinders (barquilleros) dressed in San Isidro costumes distribute traditional sweets (barquillos) in memory of San Isidro who was a poor farmer who with his wife Santa Maria de la Cabeza helped the poor by distributing food. What was formerly and primarily a religious celebration has turned into a party-like and joyous fiesta. 

Like most of the traditional festivities. We say Viva Espana!

 Ana Pastor, from the Ministry of “Fomento” (Development Minister of Spain) announced a new long term plan to improve development and expansion in road communications, public transport and the property market today.  She said it was time to say goodbye to the “Pharaonic development” that has taken place in recent years and the new plan will offer incentives starting in 2013 with changes that will be gradually implemented on the "horizon", as far into 2024. 

As for the property market, Pastor announced the extension, with little change to the previous government's incentive, in relation to long-term rentals and the nationwide refurbishment of "cascos antiguos" (old towns) in order to improve properties that are more than 30 years old. 

It was added that newer measures will also be taken to tackle and reduce the stock problem that Spain currently has, an astonishing reality that has now reached over 700,000 unsold properties. 

The final decision is to “eliminate” unjustifiable burdens / encumbrances on land and planning. 

El AVE, high speed rail link will continue to develop in practically all areas of Spain meaning that funding will continue to be injected into this ambitious and exciting project, offering a more comfortable and rapid means of transport throughout Spain.

As far as road communications are concerned, it would be hard to knock the Spaniards when comparing the time it takes for road works to be finished in the UK but still, the Spanish government will strive to make road connections even better throughout the nation.