Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great — Attraction in Madrid

A stunning, beautiful cathedral intricate in design, from the ceilings to everywhere you look. I discovered this cathedral by chance on my recent trip to Madrid - (July 2025). I was looking on Google Maps and discovered it by chance. As soon as I saw the pictures online I had to go.

On Google, it said closing hours was 1.30pm on Sat but when I got to the Cathedral itself, the time was not accurate and it was actually closing at 3.30pm so I had ample time to visit. Normally I would bulk at the thought of paying an entrance fee to a place of worship but it's a small price to pay and probably goes towards the upkeep of the cathedral.

It is visually stunning, on the top of the ceiling, before the dome itself, you will be able to see several of the disciples. There are angels and other images. It's so intricately beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. You can visit the area behind the altar which is adorned with different portraits/prayer rooms.

Definitely worth a visit even if you're not religious, just to appreciate the architecture alone. What is amazing is the cathedral is quite plain on the outside and unassuming but when you step in the inside, you will be in awe.

This cathedral I was more drawn to than the National Cathedral - Almundena Cathedral. The comparison is - The main cathedral is visually impressive from the outside main entrance as well as the side viewpoint opposite the Royal Palace but from what I saw online is not as ornate on the inside where as this Basilica is just down the road in a quiet area but stunningly beautiful...

The Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great is one of Madrid’s most impressive landmarks, and even from the outside it deserves a full five stars. Located in the La Latina district, the church stands out with its monumental size and striking neoclassical architecture. The grand façade, with its tall columns and elegant design, immediately captures your attention. The enormous central dome dominates the skyline in the area, making it a recognizable point of reference while exploring this part of the city.

Walking around the exterior, I was struck by how peaceful and majestic the setting felt. The plaza in front of the basilica provides a perfect spot to pause and admire the building’s beauty. The symmetry and details of the stonework show how much care went into its design, and it feels more like a royal palace than a church from certain angles. Even without stepping inside, the basilica’s presence is inspiring, and you can sense the importance it holds in Madrid’s history and culture.

For anyone visiting Madrid, even just stopping by to admire the outside of this basilica is worth the time. It’s a remarkable sight that adds to the city’s charm...

Declared a National Monument in 1980, the temple rises up, according to tradition, on the land that was offered to Saint Francis of Assisi following his time in Madrid in 1214 on his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. On this site, three temples were erected prior to the current one, which dates back to the 18th century and which was carried out by the Franciscan Order. Between 1776 and 1784, its construction was completed under the management of Francisco Sabatini.

The church consists of a central circular floor covered by a large dome with a diameter of 33 metres and a height of 58 metres, a main chapel and six surrounding chapels also covered by domes. Inside, there is a large collection of paintings by Spanish artists from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as Goya, Zurbarán, Casto Plasencia, Francisco Jover, Martínez Cubells, José del Castillo, Moreno Carbonero, Eugenio Oliva, Menéndez Pidal, González Velázquez, Gregorio Ferro, Gaspar Crayer, Vicente Carducci, Antonio Carnicero, Alonso Cano or Lucas Jordán, as well as important sculptures in...