About this place
The Monument to Infanta Isabel de Borbón stands in Madrid's Parque del Oeste, right next to Paseo del Pintor Rosales. It honors Infanta Isabel de Borbón, one of the best-known members of Spain's royal family in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and one of the most genuinely beloved by ordinary Madrileños.
Who was Infanta Isabel de Borbón?
Isabel de Borbón was the daughter of Queen Isabella II and the sister of King Alfonso XII. She held the title of Princess of Asturias twice — first as the reigning queen's firstborn, and again later after her father's line was restored to the succession. What made her stand out in Madrid's collective memory, though, wasn't her royal rank but her closeness to everyday people. Locals affectionately called her "La Chata," and she was famous for her passion for bullfighting, regularly attending corridas and earning a reputation as one of the warmest, most approachable royals of her time. That popular affection is the whole point of the monument.
What does the monument look like?
The central sculptural group is carved in white stone. It shows the Infanta standing on a pedestal while two figures pay tribute to her: a flower seller and a Madrid local wrapped in a cape that nods to bullfighting tradition. The choice of figures is deliberate — the composition is built around the bond between the Infanta and ordinary Madrileños, casting her as a popular, down-to-earth figure rather than a distant aristocrat.
Who designed it, and when was it built?
The idea for the monument came from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in 1951, to mark the centenary of the Infanta's birth. Funding came from a public subscription organized and promoted by the newspaper ABC — itself a sign of how much affection she still commanded decades after her death. The architectural design was the work of García Lomas, while the sculpture itself was created by Alejandro Zaragoza. The monument was unveiled in 1955.
Where is it, and how do you visit?
The monument sits inside Parque del Oeste, one of central Madrid's larger green spaces, right along Paseo del Pintor Rosales, a popular tree-lined promenade that runs along the park's eastern edge. It's an easy stop to fold into a longer walk through the area — the Templo de Debod and several viewpoints over the Manzanares valley are all nearby. There's no ticket or booking required; you can visit any time while strolling through the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Infanta Isabel de Borbón? The daughter of Queen Isabella II and sister of Alfonso XII, twice Princess of Asturias, known to Madrileños as "La Chata" for her popularity and her love of bullfighting.
Where exactly is the monument located? In Madrid's Parque del Oeste, next to Paseo del Pintor Rosales.
When was the monument built? The project was proposed in 1951 for the centenary of the Infanta's birth, and the monument was unveiled in 1955.
Who created the monument? García Lomas designed it and Alejandro Zaragoza sculpted it; construction was funded through a public subscription organized by the newspaper ABC.
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