The Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena, known as the Almudena Cathedral, is for many an architectural jewel, while for others, it is an eclectic-style construction with a mixture of styles and periods.
But beyond that, carved into its walls and alcoves, you can see history itself. Located in Madrid de los Austrias, next to the Royal Palace and close to other tourist destinations such as Plaza de Oriente and the Royal Theater, it is one of the 10 most visited places in Madrid that, of course, we recommend you visit.
The Almudena Cathedral starts in 1883
It was drawn up in 1879 by the Marquis Francisco de Cubas, a famous architect of the time, but it was not until 1883, under the reign of King Alfonso XII, that its construction began, which would take 114 years to be completed.
With the creation of the Bishopric of Madrid in 1885, the project became a cathedral. It was then that the architect Francisco de Cubas, taking cathedrals such as Reims, León, and Chartres as examples, embarked on a more ambitious vision, but due to low resources, construction took longer than expected.
In June 1993, it was completed and consecrated by Pope John Paul II on one of his trips to Spain, becoming the first cathedral consecrated outside Rome.
Architectural styles of the Cathedral
Madrid Cathedral has been a victim of both the passage of time and aesthetic whims, which has resulted in the different architectural styles seen today.
Its first constructive stage was the construction of the crypt in Neo-Romanesque style. The exterior, specifically the main façade, clearly shows the neoclassical style, which highlights the time it took to build. The interior has a Neo-Gothic style with simple finishes.
Likewise, the interior has decorative objects that emphasize the modern style, such as the large and colourful stained glass windows, whose tones are enhanced by the gray of the structure.
Main facade
What to see in the Almudena Cathedral
The Almudena Cathedral consists of three main naves and many side chapels. A curious feature is its orientation, which is from north to south, unlike most cathedrals, whose orientation is from east to west.
Interior of the cathedral
Interior of the Cathedral
You will enter through a huge bronze portico; at the back, on the altar, you will see the image of Santa María la Real de la Almudena on a colourful altar. On the sides, two rows of robust ash gray columns Go quietly through its naves and contemplate its spaces and chapels.
Inside the vault of the cathedral, you can find paintings by Kiko Argüello, a famous Catholic painter native to Spain who, with his Neo-Byzantine style, shows us some of the most iconic moments in the life and passion of Christ. These paintings, raised at the beginning of the dome, give it a touch of color that many more “traditional” cathedrals lack.
The organ is inspired by Gothic altarpieces, built by the builder Gerhard Grenzing in 1999. This amazing organ has 70 voices, which produces a deep and enveloping sound.
Museum and dome of the cathedral
Several pieces of incalculable artistic, historical, and religious value are exhibited in the museum. Without a doubt, something that you cannot miss during your visit to the Almudena Cathedral You can make use of the free audio guide to listen to the explanations using the Wi-Fi network on your mobile phone.
The ascent to the apse is impressive. Halfway up the climb, you will find the Mirador de la Almudena, from which you have a view of the Plaza de la Armería del Palacio Real. Here you can also see an impressive model of the first project of the cathedral.
Arriving at the top, outside the dome, you can enjoy Madrid as far as the eye can see in a 360° panoramic view. That is why it is one of the best viewpoints in Madrid.
The crypt of the cathedral
The Almudena Cathedral is built on a beautiful crypt. In it there are about 20 chapels adorned with stained glass windows from the Maumejean house.
One of the most precious and oldest pieces is the image of Our Lady of the Flor de Lis, the Virgin in Madrid, which was ordered to be painted by Alfonso VI before the figure of the Virgin of Almudena was found buried. She had been hidden to protect it from the Moors at the time of the conquest.
For information on schedules and rates, or how to get there, you have this link on the Almudena Cathedral website.
What else to see in Madrid?
You are in the downtown area; you have the Royal Palace and the Crypt, as well as the Change of the Guard. From this location, you can start the post about visiting Madrid in one day. You might also be interested in these tips for your first visit to Madrid.
Our accommodations in Madrid
In this area, we have apartments in Madrid Center, apartments in Retiro area, and in a less touristic area, you can consider the apartments in barrio Salamanca. For a short stay, we have apartments by days next to Calle Serrano and Paseo de la Castellana, in the Escultor Building.
