Does the name “La Chata” ring any bells? This endearing nickname belonged to Infanta Isabel. Now we are standing before the Monumento a la Infanta Isabel. This monument pays tribute to a beloved figure in Spanish history.
The Monumento a la Infanta Isabel honors Isabel de Borbón. She was the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II. Isabel was also the great-great-grandmother of the current King of Spain. The monument is near the Parque del Oeste entrance. It was inaugurated in 1955. The monument is crafted from white marble.
Infanta Isabel stands at the monument’s center. A Violetera is to her right offering her a flower. This represents her popularity with common people. A gentleman stands to her left gesturing towards her. The monument’s rear faces the park. It features a lion-faced fountain. Above the fountain is a large coat of arms.
Isabel, fondly known as “La Chata”, was the Princess of Asturias. “La Chata” refers to her button nose. She clearly had a lasting impact on Madrid.
Another Monumento a Isabel la Católica stands elsewhere in Madrid. It is an instance of public art. Manuel Oms designed the monument. The sculptural bronze ensemble features an equestrian statue. Isabella of Castile is accompanied by Pedro González de Mendoza. Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba is also featured.
The bronze piece was cast at Nelli’s foundry in Rome. It was exhibited there before its transfer to Madrid. The Ayuntamiento de Madrid inaugurated it on 30 November 1883.
Pedro de Madrazo described the sculptural group. It comprises three statues. An equestrian statue represents Isabella. She appears dressed in armour. She wears a royal crown and mantle. She carries the sceptre in one hand. She holds the horse’s bridles in the other. The statue of Cardinal Pedro González de Mendoza is also present. He is dressed in a cassock. He holds the book of the Gospels in his right hand. He leans the other on one of the Queen’s horse’s bridles. The statue of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba is included. He is armed. He holds his naked sword in his left hand. He holds the other bridle of the horse with his right hand. All three statues stand on a bronze basement.
The monument was moved. It now stands near the Paseo de la Castellana. It is in the gardens at the feet of the National Museum of Natural Sciences.
The pedestal features the coat of arms of Madrid. It also shows those of the Catholic Monarchs. An engraved inscription reads “To Isabella the Catholic”. It also states that national unity and the discovery of the Americas took place under her reign. It says that the People of Madrid erected the monument in 1883.
The Monumento a la Infanta Isabel and Monumento a Isabel la Católica serve as testaments. They stand as testaments to powerful women. They were important figures in Spain’s history. They remind us of the individuals who shaped the nation’s identity. They played a key role in Spanish history.