Guide to Madrid. Religious sites in Madrid, Spain

Religious Sites in Madrid

Madrid is a city with multiple religions and cultures. It offers much in the way of noteworthy religious sites, particularly the huge, modern, 20th-century Almudena Cathedral, which is Neo-Gothic in its design and contains chapels and statues by contemporary artists in a variety of artistic styles, from historical to Pop-Art. The crypt is built in a Neo-Romanesque style and is home to a 16th-century picture of the Virgen de la Almudena. Also well worth adding to your itinerary is the amazing Egyptian temple known as the Templo de Debod, which lies in one of Madrid’s most beautiful parks close to the Royal Palace. The temple is the only one of its kind in Spain and one of the few examples of ancient Egyptian architecture outside of Egypt. Another notable site is the small church, San Antonio de La Florida Hermitage, which is renowned for its Goya murals and its mausoleum to the painter.

Church of San Gines, by Paco Faiallos

Church of San Gines
Address: Calle del Arenal 13 Phone: +34 91 366 48 75


The Church of San Gines is situated in the very centre of the Spanish capital, in close proximity to Puerta del Sol. It is regarded as one of the oldest Christian temples in Madrid, since the first documents mentioning it date back to the 9th Century. The original structure was built in Mudejar style, but today only the campanile remains from that epoch. Most of the present-day church originates from the 17th Century. The construction process was completed in 1645. Apart from its unquestionable historical value, the Church of San Gines is notable for the art treasures it stores. In the interior of the building visitors can admire paintings by Alonso Cano, El Greco, Jose Adams, Villabrille and Salvatierra. A stuffed crocodile, brought from the New World, also attracts the attention of tourists and local worshippers alike. In this church the great playwright Lope de Vega was baptised and the no less renowned poet Francisco de Quevedo celebrated his wedding.

Almudena Cathedral, by Joel

Almudena Cathedral
Address: Calle de Bailen Phone: +34 91 542 22 00


The Almudena Cathedral is the biggest Catholic temple in Madrid. Contrary to the common tradition, the cathedral is at the same time one of the newest churches in the city. Although the plans for construction of such a temple appeared as early as the 16th Century, the actual building process hasn't started until 1879 due to the lack of financing and political controversions. The church was built in Gothic revival style with the eclectic features typical of the 19th Century. The temple was designed by architect Francisco de Cubas, the Marquis of Cubas. The construction of the cathedral took a long time as it was interrupted during the Spanish Civil War and resumed as late as 1950. In this year, Fernando Chueca Goitia redesigned the exterior of the Almudena Cathedral in Neo-Classical style. Thus a unique blend of different architectural styles appeared – a Neo-Classical facade, Gothic interior and a valuable Neo-Romanesque crypt. The temple was named after Virgen de la Almudena, the patron saint of Madrid. A 16th-century icon of the virgin is stored in the crypt of the cathedral.

Church of San Jorge, by Madrid Uno

Church of San Jorge
Address: Nunez de Balboa 43 Phone: +34 91 576 51 09 e-mail: stgeorgemadrid@telefonica.net


The church of San Jorge is the parish church of the English-speaking community in Madrid. This Catholic temple is designed in spectacular Neo-Mudejar style and was erected only 15 years ago. It is situated in the vicinity of the Canadian embassy.

Church of San Isidro, by j.labrado

Church of San Isidro
Address: Calle Toledo 37 Phone: +34 91 369 20 37


The Church of San Isidro emerged as a Jesuit church in 1620, designed by the local architect Pedro Sanchez. For a certain period of time it used to be part of a Jesuit college, hence its popular name Colegiata de San Isidro. The exterior of the imposing Baroque church is noteworthy mainly because of the large dome and the massive built-in columns. Inside the church visitors can see a couple of art works by Sebastian Herrera, Claudio Coello and other celebrated artists. The highlight, of course, is the buried body of San Isidro, whose name the temple bears. For a century, during the long-lasting reconstruction of the Almudena Cathedral in the period 1885 - 1993, this church acquired the unofficial status of the main church of the city.

St Anton's Convent
Address: Hortaleza 63 Phone: +34 91 521 74 73


The St Anton's Convent was built by Juan de Villanueva following the plans of the recognised architect Pedro Ribera. The whole structure is of great artistic and architectural merit with its picturesque Baroque exterior and the exquisite collection of art works stored inside. The pearl in its crown, undoubtedly, is the Goya's masterpiece 'Last Communion of Jose de Calasanz'. The sculpture entitled 'Dolphin' by Ventura Rodriguez deserves particular attention as well.

Basilica de San Francisco El Grande
Address: Plaza de San Francisco Phone: +34 91 365 38 00


Basilica de San Francisco El Grande belongs among the largest and most famous places of worship in the Spanish capital. It originates from the 18th Century. Its contruction lasted from 1761 to 1784 and was carried out following the plans of Friar Francisco Cabezas and later Francisco Sabatini. The fine Neo-Classical church in the heart of Madrid boasts one of the most imposing church domes in the world, measuring 33 metres in diametre. In addition, the richly ornamented facade and the exclusive collection of paintings contribute to the attractiveness of the basilica. In the interior visitors can admire masterpieces of renowned artists, such as Goya, Zurbaran, Alonso Cano and Maella and the sculptors Ricardo Bellver and Mariano Benlliure. On the premises of the temple there is also a museum as well as seven chapels.

Convento de las Descalzas Reales
Address: Plaza de las Descalzas Reales s/n Phone: +34 91 454 88 00


This museum used to be a monastery in the heart of Madrid. First of all, the building alone deserves attention, as it was built in the 16th Century in the traditional Habsburg style. The monastery was established in 1559 by Juana de Austria and its aim was to house noble women who decide to become nuns. They brought their dowry with them, thus turning the place into the richest convent in Spain at that time. The monastery retained its religious functions until 1960 when it was declared a museum by the government. Furthermore, in 1985 the European Council awarded Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales with the prize "Museum of the Year". Today the museum hosts various objects and artefacts, which include great collections of paintings, religious relics, tapestries and many others. One of the objects is said to be a piece of the Christ's cross. The most valuable painting here is 'Caesar's Money' by the Italian artist Titian. Other famous artists presented in the museum are Hans de Beken, Sanchez Coello and Brueghel.

San Nicolas de los Servitas
Address: Plaza de San Nicolas 1 Phone: +34 91 559 40 64


The Church of San Nicolas de los Servitas enjoys the fame of being the oldest still functioning church in Madrid. Experts claim that the present-day bell tower of the church had been a mosque's minaret during the Middle Ages, before being converted into a church. It originates from the 12th Century and is designed in elegant Mudejar style. The rest of the building was erected in the 15th Century and was thoroughly renovated aftersuffering severe damages in the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. Apart from the tower, which has been declared a national monument, other noteworthy artefacts in San Nicolas de los Servitas are the precious paintings and sculptures by Salvatierra and Pedro de Mena, the remarkable coffered ceilings and the Gothic apse. Today the temple is known as the Italian church in Madrid, as masses are celebrated in Italian language here.