The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has presented Pope Leo XIV with a special copy of the work 'A la muy antigua, noble y coronada Villa de Madrid'. Historia de su Antigüedad, Nobleza y Grandeza, written by Jerónimo de la Quintana in 1629 and considered one of the most relevant historical references about the capital.
This volume was produced by the Municipal Printing House-Book Arts, an institution dedicated to preserving and disseminating traditional crafts linked to Madrid's bibliographic and editorial heritage. The Artistic Binding Workshop has prepared a unique binding, inspired by the Vatican State's bookbinding tradition, specifically as a protocolary gift for the Pontiff.
Almeida highlighted that Leo XIV's visit is an event of special importance for Madrid, stating that the book, which chronicles the city's historical memory over the centuries, aims to symbolize the capital's respect and closeness to the Pope, as well as recognition for the values of dialogue, encounter, faith, and hope it represents for millions.
In addition to the book, the Pope and his entourage received a rosary and 30 decenarios, along with a book of watercolors depicting emblematic buildings and monuments of Madrid. These gifts were handcrafted by individuals with intellectual disabilities who are users of the Götze Foundation. The rosary and decenarios required a month and a half of work in the entity's ceramics workshop.
Leo XIV will also have the opportunity to taste almond pastries made by the twelve Augustinian Recollect nuns from the Royal Monastery of Santa Isabel, located in Atocha. The sweets are dedicated to Saint Alonso de Orozco, an Augustinian friar who founded the first convent of Augustinian Recollects in Madrid in 1589.
The presented work corresponds to the edition published by the Madrid City Council in 1954, under the direction of Eulogio Varela Hervías, then director of the Municipal Archive, commissioned by the Count of Mayalde. That edition was printed with movable type at the Municipal Printing House and is considered one of the main editorial projects promoted by the City Council to recover and disseminate Madrid's historical heritage.
The original text, published in 1629, offers one of the most complete accounts of the origins, evolution, and historical importance of Madrid as a Villa and Court. The copy gifted to the Pope has been hand-sewn with thread and bound in white chagrin, a color associated with the Vatican State and commonly used in presentation bindings for the Holy See.
The exterior decoration, stamped in gold leaf, includes a baroque-inspired frame made with historical irons preserved by the Municipal Printing House, as well as a bronze engraving by Olivares, one of the most prominent Spanish engravers of the 20th century. Inside, the volume incorporates special endpapers with gilded ornamental motifs and selected materials to aid its preservation.
The Municipal Printing House-Book Arts is the institution traditionally responsible for creating artistic bindings for the protocolary gifts of the Madrid City Council.
