Almudena Cathedral, Madrid
View of Almudena Cathedral's apse from south.
View from southeast.
Neoclassical north facade.
Neo-Gothic interior, with colorful murals visible in the apse.
Aerial view of Almudena Cathedral. Image © Google Earth.
Location map and aerial view of Almudena Cathedral. For a larger interactive view, see our Madrid Map.
Almudena Cathedral is the cathedral of Madrid, Spain. Dating from the late 19th and 20th centuries, Almudena Cathedral is very new by European standards, and its traditional-meets-modern design reflects its youth.
History
The site on which Almudena Cathedral now stands was originally occupied by Madrid's first mosque, then by a church dedicated to one of Madrid's patron saints, Santa María de la Almudena.
Plans for a grand new church began in the 16th century after King Philip II made Madrid the capital of Spain. But construction was constantly postponed due to various political issues and opposition from the powerful archdiocese of Toledo.
Finally, in 1868, Madrid received permission from Toledo to construct a new church dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena. Construction began in 1883 based on a Neo-Gothic design. The first part to be completed was the crypt, which contains a 16th-century image of Madrid's patroness the Virgen de la Almudena.
A year later, in 1884, Pope Leo XIII created the Diocese of Madrid, giving Madrid a bishop and raising the status of the new Almudena church to a cathedral. The building plans were updated to reflect the elevated status of the building.
Construction on the cathedral progressed slowly and came to a complete halt during the civil war of the 1930s. The process began again in 1944, when the new architect introduced a Neoclassical style that would match the Royal Palace next door.
Almudena Cathedral was completed in 1993 and consecrated in person by Pope John Paul II that same year. A statue of the pope in front of the cathedral commemorates the momentous occasion. The cathedral was given another publicity boost with the sumptuous wedding of Prince Felipe and Doña Letizia in May 2004, the first such royal event in nearly a century.
What to See
The bright interior of Almudena Cathedral is based in the Gothic style, but modern and modest compared to most Spanish cathedrals. Its "pop art" stained glass windows were recently revealed to be copies.
Although lacking the architectural merit or historical significance of other European cathedrals, Almudena Cathedral is nonetheless worth a visit due to its uniqueness, its modern beauty, and its sheer size: it measures 104m long and 76m wide, with a central dome measuring 20m in diameter.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Almudena Cathedral; Madrid Cathedral |
| Dedicated to: | Virgin Mary of Almudena |
| Location: | Madrid, Madrid, Spain |
| Category: | Cathedrals |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1883-1993 |
| Architecture: | Neo-Gothic, Neoclassical |
| Size: | Length: 104m Width: 76m Cupola: 20m in diameter |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 40.415579° N, 3.714591° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Calle Bailén 8-10, Madrid, Spain |
| Phone: | 91-542-22-00 |
| Hours: | Daily 9am-8:30pm |
| Cost: | Free |
| Photography: | Permitted |
| Public transport: | Metro: Opera Bus: 3, 39, or 148 |
Travel Resources
- Madrid Map - our detailed interactive map of Madrid, plus hand-picked links to more
- Madrid Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Madrid
- Madrid Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Madrid Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Madrid Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Madrid Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Madrid
- Madrid Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Madrid Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Madrid tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Personal visit (April 1, 2007)
- Frommer's Madrid, 1st ed.
- A View on Cities.
Article last updated: 11/05/2009.
