A Giant Vatican Flag Over Madrid's Castellana:
Dysegna Welcomes Pope Leo XIV to Spain
Madrid is living one of the most moving moments in its recent history: the visit of Pope Leo XIV has brought 1.8 million faithful to the Paseo de la Castellana. To mark the occasion, Merlin Properties commissioned Dysegna to hang a giant Vatican flag on the façade of their building at Castellana 93 — covering nearly the entire façade as the Popemobile drives past just metres away.
The technical challenge of hanging a Vatican flag that defies scale
Installing a Vatican flag of these dimensions right on the Paseo de la Castellana is no small feat. Dysegna's team coordinated with Merlin Properties and local authorities on every technical detail: structural anchors, wind-resistant materials capable of bearing the fabric's own weight, and a precise installation that wouldn't interfere with papal visit preparations.
The dimensions of the installation reflect the scale of the challenge: the Vatican flag measures 32.15 metres wide by 16.50 metres high, covering a total area of more than 530 square metres. Its size allows it to cover virtually the entire façade of Castellana 93, making it one of the most prominent visual features along Pope Leo XIV’s route through Madrid and a highly recognisable symbol for both attendees and international broadcast audiences.
Correct tension was critical — any ripple would distort the pontifical coat of arms visible from the Popemobile and from live television broadcasts worldwide. Top and bottom fixings, side stabilisers, and large-format materials tested on previous projects ensured the Vatican's yellow and white colours showed perfectly throughout Pope Leo XIV's entire visit to Madrid.
Large-format signage in service of unrepeatable historic moments.
The scale of the installation also reflects the significance of the event. Pope Leo XIV's visit marks the return of a Pope to Spain fifteen years after the last papal visit, while the vigil held in Plaza de Lima is expected to bring together around 500,000 people. In this context, the visibility of every element along the route takes on particular importance, both for those attending in person and for the millions of viewers following the event through international media coverage.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Madrid has become one of the most significant events for the Catholic community in Spain in recent decades. During these days, the capital has been transformed into an international meeting point, welcoming pilgrims, Church representatives and faithful visitors from across the world. The Popemobile procession along Paseo de la Castellana is one of the most anticipated moments of the visit, with hundreds of thousands gathering to accompany the Holy Father in an atmosphere of celebration and reflection. Beyond its religious significance, the Pope's presence also represents a major organisational challenge for the city. Coordination between public institutions, security services, event organisers and collaborating companies has been essential to ensure the smooth running of the occasion. Madrid is once again demonstrating its ability to host major international events, turning iconic locations such as Paseo de la Castellana into the setting for a historic moment that will be remembered for years to come.
At Dysegna, we have spent years delivering large-format projects for clients who need their message to travel far — literally and symbolically. From corporate signage on iconic Madrid façades to special installations for singular events like Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain, our technical capability lets us take on any challenge, however extraordinary.
The giant Vatican flag at Castellana 93 is more than an installation: it proves that large-format signage, when executed with precision, can become the protagonist of a historic moment. As Pope Leo XIV's Popemobile travels down the Castellana, thousands of eyes will look up at that yellow and white — made possible by Dysegna.
If you have a large-format signage project for events or corporate spaces, get in touch.
