European Ribbon

Introduction

The endless one

The Catedral de la Almudena, also known as the Santa María la Real de La Almudena, serves as the main Roman Catholic cathedral in Madrid. It is one of the newest Spanish cathedrals, having been completed in 1993. Although plans for its construction date back to the 16th century, various factors delayed its realization. These included the reluctance of the powerful archdiocese bishop of nearby Toledo and the king’s focus on building the El Escorial. Ultimately, actual work began much later, in the 19th century. Queen Maria de las Mercedes of Orleans was one of the initiators of the project and her husband King Alfonso II laid the cornerstone for the crypt in April 1883.

It is worth mentioning at this point that the cathedral has two levels. The lower one is called The Crypt, while the upper serves as the main sanctuary. The crypt’s facade boasts triple doors with semicircular arches, reminiscent of medieval architecture. Inside, there are five naves and 18 chapels, supported by 400 columns crowned with capitals. These capitals feature motifs inspired by biblical themes and nature, including the symbol of Madrid—the bear and the strawberry tree. The Crypt is the final resting place for several notable individuals, including Queen María de las Mercedes of Orleans, Enrique María Repullés (the crypt’s architect), and Carmen Franco, the only daughter of dictator Francisco Franco and the first Duchess of Franco.

The cathedral was built with great effort. The cost of labor and the ambition of the project required an amount that was difficult to raise, thus beginning a slow history of work and interruptions. There is no doubt that, the architectural ideal wasn’t realistic and that the dream design was impossible to complete. Thus, for decades the building was a work called “endlessly” by the Madrilenians.

It features a neoclassical style, primarily influenced by its proximity to the 🔗 Royal Palace. In the cathedral museum, you will find unique models of earlier projects, which even combine the palace and cathedral buildings into a coherent whole. The main entrance faces the palace, it has a large portico with a double colonnade. The lower one draws inspiration from Tuscan architecture, while the upper follows the Ionic order. At the base of the towers, you’ll find two large coats of arms sculpted by artist José Luis Parés. These coats of arms represent the Spanish royal house and Pope John Paul II, who consecrated the cathedral. The memory of the Polish pope is further honored by a three-meter statue near a side entrance and a chapel opened in 2022. The cathedral has a Latin cross plan and consists of a main nave and two side aisles, it is 102 meters long and 73 meters high. In 2004, in the Catedral de la Almudena, the current King of Spain, Felipe VI, married the “commoner” Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. The cathedral also served as the venue for state funerals, including those of former presidents Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo in 2008 and Adolfo Suárez in 2014.

Why it is called Almudena? 

The Catedral de la Almudena is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Almudena. According to legend, the original statue of the Virgin Mary was brought from the Holy Land to Madrid by Saint James. Unfortunately, the original figure has been lost, and today we can admire a 16th-century copy, in which some believe they can discern fragments of the original.

According to legend, after the Muslim invasion of Spain, a miraculous figurine was hidden in a secret location. It lay undisturbed for over 400 years until the return of the Christians. Over time, the exact whereabouts of this mysterious hiding place became forgotten. The miraculous discovery supposedly occurred during a procession around the city, prompted by the impatience of King Alfonso VI the Brave. He threatened to demolish the defensive walls unless the figurine was found. During fervent prayers, a section of the wall collapsed, revealing a cavity. Inside, they discovered not only the figurine but also two burning candles, which had marked the spot of its concealment. The term Almudayna, derived from Arabic, means in the wall, and almud refers to a measure of grain—perhaps the very grain stored behind that wall.

Visit

We recommend starting the visit from the museum located at the main entrance. In this museum, you’ll find liturgical exhibits but also historical photographs of the cathedral and its scale models. To conclude your tour, head up to the dome, where a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the city awaits you. As you exit the museum, proceed directly into the cathedral itself. The everyday side entrance, adorned with a bronze facade by sculptor Sanguino, leads you outside. Let yourself admire that part of the building too. The left side of the facade commemorates the discovery of the miraculous figurine by King Alfonso VI, the central part recalls the day of consecration, and the right side celebrates the Virgen de la Almudena festival on the streets of Madrid. Be sure to pause at the bronze doors. The final point of the tour will be the lower crypt. We also encourage you to watch the official guide’s film about the crypt.