San Antonio de la Florida Church
The San Antonio de la Florida Church is located at 5 Paseo de San Antonio de la Florida.
During the XVIII many noble families liked to build their palaces on the outskirts of the city. The Duchess of Alba, hated by the Queen Maria Luisa de Parma, was famous for her splendid parties. The Queen wanted to overshadow her and decided to built a palace greater than hers.
Nowadays nothing remains of this palace. It was where Principe Pio Station is today.
The only part left is the Church of San Antonio de la Florida, built by the Italian architect Fontana in 1790. It was built with granite and brick with interior decorations by Goya. On the dome he painted a fresco representing the miracle of Saint Antonio de Padua. It is said that the saint´s father had been accused of murdering a man. The saint tried to convince the judges of his father´s innocence, but they did not believe him. Consequently he asked for permission to exhume the corpse to interrogate him. A crowd gathered to watch the event. San Antonio revived the murdered man and he declared the accused innocent. Goya painted this scene, but taking place in Madrid with people dressed in the typical dress of that period.
The Saint´s Day is celebrated on June 13th and a large celebration is held nearby. Tradition says that unmarried girls have to throw 13 pins into the font, then put their hands inside. The pins that stuck into their hand represent the number of boyfriends they will have. This tradition originates from young dressmakers.