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The Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena) is the seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid. It’s located opposite the Royal Palace in the historic center of Madrid.
Introduction to the Almudena Cathedral
Madrid had been without a cathedral ever since the capital moved from Toledo in 1561. The expenses of running the Spanish Empire and building cities and fortresses overseas kept postponing construction of a cathedral.
The capital finally got their cathedral when ground broke on the Almudena Cathedral in 1883. It was designed by Francisco de Cubas (1826-1899) and wasn’t completed until 1993. The cathedral may have been built on the site of a mosque destroyed in 1083.
The Almudena Cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II. It has a gray and white façade to match the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Visiting the Almudena Cathedral
Admission to the both the cathedral and crypt is free but each ask for a suggested donation of €1 in order to provide funding for maintenance and operating costs (as of August 2024). They’re open daily from 10am to 9pm in the summer and 9am to 8:30pm the rest of the year. The tourist entrance to the cathedral is on the east side of the building while the crypt entrance is underneath the apse on the south side.
On the north side, opposite the Royal Palace, is the entrance for the self-guided tour of the church and museum. Admission is €7 per person (as of August 2024), which also provides access to the rooftop terrace. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 2:30pm. Photos are not allowed inside the museum. Check the official website for more info.
East Entrance of the Almudena Cathedral
The tourist entrance is on the east side of the building. Before entering, pay attention to the massive bronze doors. They have impressive relief figures on them.
The largest door, in the center, represents the consecration of the cathedral on July 15, 1993, by Pope John Paul II. The door on the righthand side depicts the procession of the Virgen of Almudena through the streets of Madrid every November 9. The door on the left side represents the discovery of the Virgin of Almudena by King Alfonso VI in 1085.
Nave of the Almudena Cathedral
The cathedral features a cavernous Neo-Gothic nave with tall columns and a square dome. The floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross.
There are some interesting Byzantine-style murals in the apse. They were painted by Kiko Argüello. The table of the altar is carved out of green marble.
To the right of the main altar is the altar of the Virgin of Almudena (La Virgen de la Almudena), a medieval image of the Virgin Mary. It can be reached via two stairways on either side. Underneath the chapel is the tomb of María de las Mercedes (1860-1878), Queen of Spain for only six months.
There are also several chapels as well as a huge organ at the foot of the church. Stained glass windows add more color to the building.
Museum of the Almudena Cathedral
The museum of the Almudena Cathedral is entered on the north side of the building. After taking the stairs or the lift, you come to the balcony on the façade of the church. There are incredible views of the Royal Palace. On the balcony are large statues of the Four Evangelists in niches, sculpted by José Luis Parés.
The first gallery contains exhibits on the history of the Catholic Church in Madrid and its patron saints, the Virgin of Almudena (Santa María la Real de la Almudena) and San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore the Laborer). The second gallery, visited after the rooftop terrace, includes items used during the celebration of the Catholic Liturgy.
From there, it’s back to the balcony and down to the ground floor, where you exit to the nave of the Almudena Cathedral.
Rooftop Terrace
The rooftop terrace boasts some of the best views of Madrid. After visiting the first gallery, you walk up the stairs or take the lift up to the highest point of the church. There are panels indicating what you can see in the distance, but the views only extend to the east, south, and west.
To the east, it’s possible to spot several landmarks in the historic city. To the south, you can see more landmarks, such as the gigantic dome of the Basilica of San Francisco. Looking down, there are great views of the Emir Mohamed I Park next to the Arab Walls.
Also on the rooftop terrace, you can get a closer look at some of the statues of the Twelve Apostles atop the cathedral. They were sculpted by Luis Sanguino.
Crypt of the Almudena Cathedral
The Neo-Romanesque crypt of the Almudena Cathedral is well worth taking the time to visit. The crypt opened in 1911 but was originally a church built in 1868. The cathedral was built on top of the church. The entrance is located underneath the apse of the building opposite the Arab Walls.
Inside the crypt, the most striking features are the columns. There are over 400 of them, and each one has a unique capital.
Main Altar
The main altar contains a replica of the Virgin of Almudena. The original statue was moved to the Collegiate Church of San Isidro in 1948. It was then relocated to the cathedral on June 10, 1993.
Chapels
Surrounding the perimeter of the crypt are 20 chapels. Each one is beautifully decorated with figures, paintings, mosaics, and other works of art. There are also several colorful stained glass windows.
Our Lady of the Fleur-de-lis
The most important work of art in the crypt is a painting of Our Lady of the Fleur-de-lis (Nuestra Señora de la Flor de Lis). It’s one of the oldest images of the Virgin in Madrid. Experts believe it was made in the 13th century. Others argue it was commissioned by King Alfonso VI, which would date it back to the late 11th century.
