Basílica de San Francisco el Grande, Madrid
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The Basílica de San Francisco el Grande (Basilica of St. Francis the Great) in Madrid was built in 1760 by King Carlos III. It stands on the site of a Franciscan convent, which is claimed to have been founded by St. Francis himself in 1217.
What to See
The Basilica of St. Francis has a round floor plan and boasts the largest dome in Spain, at 108 feet in diameter - even larger than that of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
The church incorporates three chapels, including the Chapel of San Bernardino de Siena with a magnificent painting of the saint by Goya. The figure on the right in the painting that is not looking up is a self-portrait of the artist.
The seven main doors were carved of American walnut by Casa Juan Guas and the 16th-century Gothic choir stalls are from La Cartuja del Paular, in Segovia province.
Quick Facts
| Type of site: | Church |
| Dedication: | St. Francis of Assisi |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Date: | 1760 |
| Address: | Pl. de San Francisco, Madrid, Spain |
| Phone: | 91/365-3400 |
| Hours: | Tues.-Fri. 11-12:30 and 4-6:30, Sat. 11-12 |
| Cost: | €3; includes guided tour |
Sources
- Personal visit (exterior only; March 31, 2007).
- Fodor's Spain 2005.
Travel Resources
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