May is a very interesting an exciting time to be in Madrid and a great time to rent Madrid apartments for rent. The month of May for Madrileños represents the month of their patron saint, San Isidro. Throughout the month, fiestas of all different kinds take place all over the city.

Concerts and open-air dancing are very typical of these celebrations. The crowds gather in Plaza Mayor, dressed in traditional clothing to dance to the chotis, a slow, polka-like air, preferably sounded on a barrel piano. The lady dances in courtly fashion around the man, who rotates arrogantly on the spot, only shuffling his feet to face his partner. It is very theatrical and a great pleasure to watch.

The dress consists of men sporting white neckerchiefs, black-and-white check jackets, waistcoats and caps while the women tend to dress in clinging, frilly dresses and headscarves. These outfits are known as chulapo’s which come from the word chulo. This is because Madrileños consider themselves to be very audacious and proud people whereas the rest of Spain considers them to be chulos, meaning cocky or insolent. Unfortunately, for the Madrid contingency, the name stuck.

Around the Plaza Mayor, near to your centrally located accommodation in Madrid, you’ll be able to see organ grinders (barquilleros) in their San Isidro costumes selling traditional sweet snacks called “barquillos” or “angel’s bread”, some dipped in chocolate and others just plain wafery. These are supposed to represent San Isidro himself who was historically recognised as a generous man, giving food to the poor. Of course, these days, it has turned into more of a money making exercise.

Another concert venue is Casa de Campo, a large park to the south west of the city centre. Although, this is more of a rock concert and you won’t hear too much chotis there. The park is easily accessible from most apartments in Madrid. The smaller venue of the park of “Las Vistillas” next to the Palacio Real is also a great place to see some live acts during the nightly concerts.

The remains of San Isidro and his wife, Santa María de la Cabeza, are now held at the basilica de San Isidro which was built by Francisco Bautista in the 17th-century. It’s a huge twin-towered Baroque church, designed by Pedro Sánchez in the style of the Gesu in Rome. It is also known as ‘La Colegiata’ from its early days as part of a Jesuit college.