Have you ever wondered about the secrets hidden beneath our feet? Right here on Cerro de San Babilés lies a story stretching back centuries. It is a story of faith martyrdom and rediscovery.
Cerro de San Babilés is not just a hill. It is a place of immense historical and religious significance. Tradition says that San Babilés a bishop from Pamplona met his end here. He was martyred in 715 by Muslims along with eighty young students.
Imagine Babilés a man of God fleeing the Muslim invasion. He sought refuge in Toledo and then Boadilla del Monte. Here he dedicated himself to teaching children about Christianity. But his peaceful life was brutally cut short. The legend says that he and his eighty students were beheaded for their faith.
The tragic event made a deep impression. San Babilés became the patron saint of Boadilla del Monte. For centuries locals have kept his memory alive. They passed down stories of his martyrdom on this very hill.
In 2014 Boadilla’s Town Council started archaeological digs. They had a bold aim to find San Babilés’s remains. The excavations uncovered an early medieval hermitage dating back to the late 8th century. This discovery linked the site to the cult of the martyred bishop. A Visigothic necropolis was also found. It had been in use since the late Roman period. Kilns for making lime and other outbuildings were unearthed too.
Although San Babilés’s bones remain unfound the search goes on. Plans are underway to build a new hermitage. It will be near the original site. The new building will mirror the old one’s design and materials but incorporate modern elements.
Javier Úbeda the mayor of Boadilla said that the project aims to highlight a historically and religiously important place. It also showcases a significant archaeological site in the Community of Madrid.
Archaeologists have discovered about fifty graves in the Visigothic necropolis. One notable burial contained a person with a Roman stele as a headstone. There was also a small 7th or 8th century ceramic bottle. Initially some thought this could be San Babilés’s tomb. Other finds include vases jars jewelry and early medieval coins.
Around the 13th century a new church was built. It stood on the remains of the Visigothic temple. This coincided with the peak of the Hermandad de San Babilés. The brotherhood still exists today. The church was meant to celebrate the Christian reconquest of the area from the Muslims. The presence of six lime kilns suggests the builders were in a hurry to finish it.
Over time the church was expanded. San Babilés’s reputation for miracles spread far and wide. Even Prince Baltasar Carlos the son of Felipe IV visited. He hoped for a cure from the saint.
The church was abandoned in the 18th century after being damaged and looted. Yet stories of San Babilés’s martyrdom lived on. Archaeological work has also revealed Iron Age structures. These show the site was occupied long before. A staircase leads to underground cavities or chambers.
So as we stand here on Cerro de San Babilés remember its layered history. It is a place of ancient settlements religious devotion and royal visits. The search for San Babilés continues. Boadilla hopes to find its saint’s body one day. The hill remains a testament to enduring faith and the power of local legend.