Virgin of Almudena
The Virgin of Almudena ("Virgen de la Almudena") is a medieval statue of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. The image is regarded as a patroness of Madrid, Spain. The Cathedral of Madrid is dedicated to this title of the Virgin, and her feast day, 9 November, is a major holiday in Madrid. There are replicas that are used in processions, as well as more recent versions of the statue at various places. Despite various legends as to her origin, art historians attribute the statue now in the cathedral to the Netherlandish sculptor, Diego Copín de  Holanda, who worked in Spain, around 1500. Its name derives from the Arabic term of "Al Mudayna", or the citadel. Legends. There are various legends regarding the icon. 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. 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. Again, the miraculous crumbling of the wall occurred, with the icon showing an entry route through the walls.