Catedral de la Almudena — Attraction in Madrid

Almudena is the large cathedral situated just south of the Royal Palace. Built between 1883 and 1993, after 110 years of off and on construction, the cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II. Opening Hours are 9am to 8.30pm (Sept-June) and 10am to 9pm (July-Aug).

The interior of the cathedral is of an interesting blend of Neo-gothic architecture and artworks that cover an array of genres from historical revival to modern. The ceiling is colourfully decorated and the apse mosaic works by Fr. Marko Ivan Rupnik are pleasant to see. The nave includes numerous side chapels that are worth a quick look. There is a crypt and museum that form part of the church if you wish to see these as well.

Note: There is a brochure you can pick up just as you enter the church. This is helpful to use if you are interested in the contents within the cathedral that you will be seeing.

The exterior of Almudena is interesting and worth viewing as well. It is impressive scale, the front including two bell towers and subtle facade and you can see the large dome if you step back a fair distanc from the entrance. The colour scheme is grey and white, which comes across as subtle and complements the Palace and Plaza de Armas.

Tip: For nice pictures of the church facade, stand back towards the entrance gate of Palacio Real and you can capture the full cathedral in the frame of you lens.

Note: Near this side entrance are two interesting monuments that are worth viewing before or after you enter the church. These are the Pope John Paul II statue (1998) and the recently added Homeless Jesus statue (2016). These are found just near the souvenir and gift shop on the cathedral grounds.

Overall, Almudena Cathedral is a fairly interesting church to visit and is conveniently located just next to the Royal Palace. Give it 20-30 minutes and you'll have a good feel for the church. However, you'll need to allow extra time if you want to include time in the...

Madrid's cathedral, which stands in Hapsburg Madrid, has a short but tortuous history. The first plans for the church were drawn up in 1879 by Francisco de Cubas, who wanted to create a pantheon for the late Queen Maria de la Mercedes. The foundation stone was laid in 1883, but when Pope Leo XIII granted a bull in 1885 for the creation of the Madrid-Alcalá bishopric, the plans for the church were changed to become plans for a cathedral.

Cubas began a new project, more ambitious than the previous one, this time inspired by the French 18th century Gothic, adding elements from the cathedrals of Reims, Chartres, and León. The project, which was the first to include a large Romanesque crypt, served as the basis for the final construction. The Cathedral was conceived as a votive temple erected by the people, but the donations were insufficient and there were many delays in carrying out the work. In 1899, the Marquis of Cubas died and Miguel Olabarría, Enrique Maria Repullés, and Juan Moya were subsequently put in charge of the project.

The crypt was opened in 1911 but work was suspended during the Civil War and resumed with limited resources in 1939. After this, aesthetic criteria changed, and a Gothic cathedral was no longer considered suitable because of the contrast with its surroundings. In 1944, the Directorate General for Fine Arts announced a national contest to find a new architectural solution; Fernando Chueca Goitia and Carlos Sidro were the winners. In 1950 work was restarted, the cloister being finished in 1955 and the main façade in 1960. The cathedral was considered completed in 1993. On June 15th, 1993, it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II on his fourth trip to Spain.

It also has a museum that houses effigies of the city’s patron saints: the Virgin Mary of la Almudena and San Isidro Labrador, and has an exhibition of the life of the Church through the...

Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de la Almudena) is one of the most important churches in Madrid and the city’s main religious landmark. Located near the Royal Palace of Madrid, this cathedral is famous for its unique architecture, stunning interior, and historical significance.

Key Features of Almudena Cathedral

✅ History: Construction began in 1883, but due to the Spanish Civil War and economic difficulties, it wasn’t completed until 1993. That year, Pope John Paul II officially consecrated the cathedral.

✅ Architecture: It features a mix of Neoclassical, Neo-Gothic, and Neo-Romanesque styles. The exterior follows a neoclassical design, while the interior showcases neo-Gothic elements with a modern touch.

✅ Interior: The cathedral is adorned with beautiful stained glass windows, modern religious paintings, sacred statues, and an impressive dome that offers panoramic views of Madrid.

✅ Location: Situated next to the Royal Palace, making it convenient to visit both attractions in one day.

✅ Entry: General entry to the cathedral is usually free, but access to the museum and dome costs around 7€, which is worth it for the spectacular view.

Why Visit Almudena Cathedral? • It’s one of the few relatively modern cathedrals in Spain. • Its blend of architectural styles makes it unique. • The view from the dome offers a breathtaking panorama of Madrid. • It’s close to other major attractions, including Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and the Temple of Debod, making it ideal for a full sightseeing day.

For the best experience, visit in the late afternoon or around sunset to enjoy the warm lighting and stunning views...