Every year Madrid celebrates the day the Napoleonic French Occupation was expelled, an event that took place on 2nd of May 1808 and marked the beginning of the Spanish War of Independence. Traditionally a procession marches through the centre of the city and wreaths are laid down at the Cementerio de la Florida graveyard to honour those who lost their lives in battle; since 2004 homage is also paid to those who died in the terrorist attacks at Atocha Station.
In addition to the wreath-laying, there is a large firework display the night before, and on the 2nd May, a bull run through the city in the evening. As it’s a Bank Holiday for people living in the region,it has a reputation for being amongst the most exuberant fiestas in the city!
Picture credit: Cristina Cifuentes
