The origins of the Almudena Cathedral can be in the small church of Santa Maria de la Almudena, late medieval origin, which was located a few meters from the present cathedral. For centuries, attempts were made to reinforce the grandeur of the small church, attempts that were becoming more intense with the increasing importance of the rule and its capital.

Almudena Cathedral - Madrid visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Almudena Cathedral' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Madrid.

Fully known as 'Santa María la Real de La Almudena', this cathedral church of Madrid is quite new, built between 1879 and 1993 opposite the Royal Palace. Although Madrid became the capital of Spain in 1561, when Philip II moved the Royal Court here from Toledo, the city had no cathedral church for many years.

Almudena Cathedral was intended to be a Gothic Revival style cathedral, designed by Francisco de Cubas, the Marquis of Cubas. Construction was abandoned during the Spanish Civil war and then not started again until 1950 when Fernando Chueca Goitia altered the original plans and gave the cathedral a Baroque façade to match the grey and white façade of the Palacio Real, which stands directly opposite.

Almudena Cathedral was eventually completed and consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. The marriage of Felipe, Prince of Asturias to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano (Letizia, Princess of Asturias) took place at the cathedral in 2004.

Inside, the cathedral has a modern Neo-Gothic interior with various chapels and statues of contemporary artists. A Neo-Romanesque crypt houses a 16th century image of the Virgen de la Almudena, to whom the cathedral is dedicated. The paintings in the Apse are by Kiko Arguello, founder of the Neocatechumenal Way. Nearby along the Calle Mayor excavations have unearthed remains of Moorish and medieval city walls.

C/ Bailén, 10 28013 Madrid
Phone:91 542 22 00

Bus: 3-31-50-65-148
Metro: Opera (Líneas 2, 5 y R) y Sol (Líneas 1, 2 y 3)

Cathedral: open 10:00 -19:30
Crypt: open 10:00 - 20:00