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The Royal Basilica of San Francisco the Great (Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande) is one of the most important churches in the historic center of Madrid.
Introduction to the Basilica of San Francisco
The basilica is dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels (Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles) but is commonly known as the Basilica of San Francisco (Basílica de San Francisco). It was built between 1761 and 1784 by architect and friar Francisco Cabezas (1709-1773). The façade and towers were designed by the royal architect, Italian Francesco Sabatini (1721-1797).
In 1836, the Franciscans were expelled and the church became property of the state. It was returned to the Franciscans in 1926 by King Alfonso XIII, and was named a minor basilica by Pope John XXIII in 1962. According to tradition, the basilica sits on the site of a hermitage and hut built by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1217.
Visiting the Basilica of San Francisco
It’s well worth taking one of the guided tours throughout the day. The basilica is typically open 10:30am to 12:30pm and 4pm-6pm Tuesday to Saturday from July to September, and 10:30pm to 2:30pm Tuesday to Friday the rest of the year. Admission is €5 from Tuesday to Saturday and free on Thursdays (as of February 2024). Photography is allowed inside without flash.
Rotunda of the Basilica of San Francisco
As soon as I walked through the doors I was awestruck. The interior is a lavishly decorated rotunda in which everything is completely symmetrical.
There are 12 statues of the Apostles standing about 2.5 meters tall evenly distributed around the perimeter. Eight of them were sculpted by Agapito Vallmitjana (1833-1905). Jerónimo Suñol (1839-1902) sculpted Saints Peter and Paul and Ricardo Bellver (1845-1924) sculpted Saints Andrew and Bartholomew. They’re made of Carrara marble and stand on pedestals.
Dome of the Basilica of San Francisco
The dome is 33 meters in diameter and 58 meters high. It measures 72 meters from the ground. The dome was decorated in the late 19th century and contains stained glass windows in the openings of the lower part. The windows were made in Munich in 1882.
Main Chapel
The main chapel is in the apse. It contains several decorative elements made of wood, marble, bronze, and other materials. Each of the wooden stalls is unique.
The main chapel is flanked by two pulpits carved from Carrara marble and four statues of the Evangelists. In the vault are several paintings as well as a statue of Our Lady of the Angels.
Choir
The choir is in the upper part opposite the main chapel and above the entrance. It contains a huge organ built in 1884 in Paris, as well as several paintings.
Side Chapels
Six side chapels are evenly distributed around the rest of the rotunda. Each chapel is separated by large marble pillars and contains its own dome. The iron railings in front of the chapels were made in 1884 by Juan González.
I don’t have any photos of the first chapel on the left side, but I’ve posted photos from the other five. First are the chapels to the left of the entrance:
Next are the chapels to the right of the entrance:
Museum of the Basilica of San Francisco
Behind the main chapel is the museum, which contains several paintings depicting the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Sacristy
The museum leads to the ante-sacristy, which contains beautifully carved wooden stalls as well as a painted ceiling.
Next is the sacristy, which is contains more wooden stalls and cabinets. The ceiling is painted there as well.
Another small room on the other side of the sacristy contains more paintings in frames on the wall and on the ceiling.
Dahlia Garden
Next to the basilica is a dahlia garden, the Dalieda de San Francisco. It stands on the site of the former Convent of San Francisco, which was built in the 13th and 14th century. The building later housed a military barracks and prison until it was demolished in 1961. The Dalieda opened on May 7, 2007.
There are several sections with different dahlia specimens. At the back of the garden is a sculpture and a fence with some great views of the outskirts of the city. You can also see the side of the Basilica of San Francisco.
