Churches in Madrid, Spain

Madrid's churches and other religious monuments and sights may not be the most spectacular in Spain, but there are several incredibly historic temples which are definitely worth a visit. They also become the centre of attention during Holy Week, when many of the religious icons stored in these churches are paraded through the streets of the capital.

The most notable Madrid Churches are listed below:-

Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena
Madrid's Cathedral (pictured above) is located next to the Royal Palace. It was designed in 1879 by the Marques of Cubas in neo-gothic style and has a Romanesque crypt. The construction work was delayed until renewed in 1946 by the architects Carlos Sidro and Fernando Chueca Goitia in a neo-baroque style that covered the already built neo-gothic part. The work was finally terminated in 1993 and the Cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II on the 15th June, 1993. Click for more info...

Basílica de San Francisco el Grande
The enormous dome of this basilica is its most prominent feature - it is the 3rd largest dome in Europe. The church is located just a short distance from the Cathedral above and just round the corner from the Puerta de Toledo. Click for more info...

Colegiata de San Isidro el Real
Madrid's cathedral until 1993, when La Almudena (above) took over, this baroque church is the scene of Easter week's most thrilling moment, when the costaleros get down almost on to their knees to bring out two religious statues through the door of the church. Click for more info...

Basílica Pontificia de San Miguel
A classic example of Spanish baroque architecture and a unique convex façade designed by Giacomo Bonavia (also know as Santiago Bonavia), combine to make this church an incredibly interesting building. It was was declared a National Historical Monument in 1984. Click for more info...

Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
This 16th century Franciscan convent boasts an impressive collection of art and relics. Click for more info...

La Capilla del Obispo
A unqiue 16th Century gothic church in Madrid, designed to hold the mortal remains of San Isidro. Click for more info...

San Nicolás de los Servitas
This is Madrid's oldest church, and possesses a bell tower which dates from the 12th century. Click for more info...

San Pedro el Viejo
Madrid's second oldest church, dating from the late 11th century, or early 12th century, though much of the building was renovated in the 17th and 19th centuries. Click for more info...

San Ginés
Located round the corner from the chocolatería of the same name, it brings together Lope de Vega, Francisco Quevedo and a crocodile! Click for more info...

San Antonio de los Alemanes
Visitors to this church can enjoy the marvellous frescos by Francisco Ricci and Luca Giordano. Click for more info...

Convento de las Trinitarias Descalzas de San Ildefonso
The famous Spanish writer Miguel Cervantes was buried in this austere church located in the Huertas district of Madrid. Click for more info...

Real Monasterio de la Encarnación
This church contains several religious relics, the most famous of which is a small container with the blood of San Pantaleón which supposedly turns to liquid each year on July 27th. Click for more info...

Iglesia Parroquial de San Jerónimo el Real
Juan Carlos I, was proclaimed King of Spain in this church in 1975. This religious building was originally a monastery, although all that remains are the cloisters, originally built in the 16th century in renaissance style, and replaced a century later in Baroque style. Click for more info...

Templo de Debod
Not a church as such, but certainly a religious and sacred monument, this Egyptian temple in the middle of Madrid dates from the 2nd Centruy BC and is dedicated to the gods Amon and Isis. Click for more info...