Madrid! Sacred Spaces to Delight Your Senses
Surprising Place to Find Stunning Sacred Spaces
When people think about cities with sacred monuments and spaces, they probably don't immediately think of Madrid. They might first think of places like Mecca and Jerusalem. And if the topic is famous cathedrals, they might think of Notre Dame in Paris (recently reopened). Or, maybe they would remember the Vatican where many tourists visit the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica every year. They might even think of cathedrals in other Spanish cities like Santiago de Compostela, famous for the pilgrimages on the Camino de Santiago, and what is now the tallest church in the world, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, among others. There are many beautiful cathedrals in Spain that you may or may not have heard of before.
Sacred Spaces in Madrid
Madrid has its own cathedral and a number of other churches and sacred spaces where you can see beautiful stained glass, religious relics, beautiful paintings and tapestries, not to mention the architecture. Here we'll focus on a few that you might want to visit on your first trip to Madrid: the Almudena Cathedral, the Church of Saint Anthony of the Germans (interior pictured), the Monastery of the Descalzas Reales, the Church of Saint Jerome the Royal, and the Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great. Keeping this brief, following is a high-level overview of each of these places, some key dates, and links to help you plan.
The Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de la Almudena)
The Almudena Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid, this is a relatively new cathedral. It took more than a century to build and wasn't completed until 1993 when it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II. It was originally going to be constructed in the Gothic style but plans were changed and it ended up being comprised of multiple architectural styles. We really enjoy this cathedral each time we visit. We especially like the motif on the ceilings. It faces the Royal Palace of Madrid and between the two is an area where you can see a stunning sunset. Read more about this cathedral here.
Church of Saint Anthony of the Germans (Iglesia de San Antonio de los Alemanes)
This small, oval church dating back to 1630 is hidden in the Malasaña neighborhood a little ways north of the Gran Vía, about half way between the Callao metro station and the Gran Vía metro station. We've been several times over the years, and it's a very unassuming brick structure on the outside. So, you might walk by. But step inside and you'll be instantly delighted. The oval interior is covered wall to ceiling in ornate, beautifully painted frescoes. Find a seat on one of the pews, let the soft meditation music playing in the background settle in, and just marvel at it for a while. The official website is only in Spanish and some other sources have bad information. This page at the Madrid official tourism website is in synch with the church websites. As of this update you can visit Monday through Saturday, 10AM to 6PM and Sundays from 1PM to 4PM. They are closed for the month of August. To get there, google this address: Calle Corredera Baja de San Pablo,16 28004 Madrid. For us it was 5 euros, cash only at the door but now it looks like you can purchase tickets online when it's open. It says the fee is 12 euros for a combined ticket with Iglesia del Monasterio de San Plácido.
Monastery of the Descalzas Reales (Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales)
Originally the palace of Carlos I of Spain, his daughter Juana who had been born in the palace converted it into a monastery in the late 1500s. This monastery Was built in the Renaissance style (think geometric shapes, symmetry, arches, domes, columns). The structure also has Baroque elements due to later renovations (baroque is more ornate and meant to trick the eye and create a sense of movement). This is one we still owe ourselves. It's been on our agenda the last two visits to Madrid, but somehow a slow morning always won out. Next time, if the rest of the group wants to sleep in, I'm going without them. Admission is by guided tour only, about an hour long and offered in Spanish. Tours run Tuesday through Saturday at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 12:50pm, and 5:15pm, with a shorter Wednesday and Thursday schedule at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 12:50pm, and Sunday tours at 11am, 12pm, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 1:50pm. General admission is 9 euros, and it's free on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4pm to 6:30pm for EU citizens, residents, work permit holders, and citizens of Ibero-American countries, though you'll need to show proof of eligibility. Follow this link for more information and how and when to visit.
Church of Saint Jerome the Royal (Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real)
This is one of the oldest churches in Madrid and was once part of a monastery that no longer exists. It was completed in 1505, commissioned several years earlier by Queen Isabella, the same Queen of note in the age of the discovery of America. The church has been very well maintained over the centuries. But the monastery suffered considerable damage. Part of what was the monastery is now an annex of the Prado Museum which sits just down hill from the church.
This church is of major importance. It originally sat across from the Royal Palace that existed in Retiro Park. It still occupies its original spot but the palace no longer exists. For centuries it was essentially the church of the royalty, the site of coronations and other royal ceremonies. The church was built in the Isabelline Gothic style, in the form of a latin cross. Gothic architecture typically has buttresses, pointed arches, rose-shaped and other shapes of stained glass, and columns. Isabelline Gothic is exuberant and ornate with some Renaissance elements. The facade was later restored in the neo-Gothic Style. There is no cost to enter. Opening hours run 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 7:30pm in winter (mid September through mid June), and 10am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm in summer. If you'd rather attend a service than just visit, Sunday Mass is held at several points through the day, and on the fourth Sunday of each month the noon Mass is sung by the Choir of Los Jerónimos. So, if you time it right, you could visit either before or after you see the Prado Museum or Retiro Park. Check here for details.
The Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great (Basílica Real de San Francisco el Grande)
This grand basilica in the La Latina neighborhood is one of Madrid’s most striking sacred landmarks, renowned for its immense dome, one of the largest in Spain. Originally a Franciscan monastery, the building underwent a dramatic transformation in 1760, when it was completely demolished to make way for a grander and more architecturally ambitious church. The ambitious redesign was first undertaken by Fray Francisco Cabezas, who envisioned a circular temple crowned by a monumental dome. However, after seven years of work, construction was halted due to disagreements over the dome’s design. Years later, under the patronage of King Carlos III, work resumed under the famed Italian architect Francesco Sabatini, the mastermind behind Madrid’s Puerta de Alcalá and the reconstruction of Plaza Mayor. The basilica was finally consecrated in 1784, and nearly two centuries later in 1963, Pope John XXIII granted it the status of Basilica Minor.
Inside, visitors will find breathtaking frescoes, gilded altars, and artwork by Francisco Goya and other celebrated Spanish painters. The basilica's intricate neoclassical design, combined with its rich history, makes it a must-see for those exploring Madrid's sacred spaces.
We had it on our agenda when we visited in August 2024. We'd had breakfast nearby, and while my wife and daughter went back to the hotel for something my daughter had left behind, I wandered through the basilica's gardens on my own, admiring the roses, then found the basilica itself closed even though it should have been open based on the posted hours. It seems to be more reliably open now.
According to the current hours listed on esmadrid.com, the church itself is open daily from 8am to 10:30am, with additional hours on Sundays from 10am to 1:30pm and 6:30pm to 8pm, and there's no charge to step in during those windows. If you want the full guided tour or museum visit, those run Tuesday through Friday, with separate summer hours, and cost 6 euros per person, 3.50 euros for groups, pensioners, students, and people with disabilities, and nothing at all on Thursdays. Click here for the latest details before you go.
Madrid’s sacred spaces hold centuries of history, artistry, and devotion. Whether you’re drawn to the striking Almudena Cathedral, the frescoed beauty of Saint Anthony of the Germans, the regal legacy of Saint Jerome the Royal, or the grand Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great, each site tells a unique story. These landmarks offer more than stunning architecture. They provide a deep connection to Madrid’s spiritual and cultural past.
Have you visited any of Madrid’s historic churches or monasteries? Which ones stood out to you? Share your experience in the comments!
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