The unique architecture of the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

When visiting the Spanish capital, it is impossible to ignore the stunning beauty of Almudena Cathedral. The magnificence of the interior decoration, the unique combination of architectural styles, the enchanting beauty of the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena attracts both tourists and local residents. It will be discussed in the article.

Legends and traditions

The mysterious story of the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid is known to every Spaniard with pleasure. The legend says that the Apostle James, preaching Christianity and converting pagans, brought a figurine of the Virgin Mary to the territory of modern Spain. Soon the Arabs seized power in the country. Local residents hid the sacred relic and for many years it could not be found. In 1083 the country was liberated from the Muslims. After the solemn prayer service, King Alphonse VI rode with a festive procession through the streets of the city. The wall of the fortress collapsed and an undamaged statue of the Mother of God appeared before the gaze of all those gathered. In Arabic, Al mudayna means citadel or fortress. And the returned relic began to be called the Maiden of Almudena.

Today, the temple houses a 16th-century statue revered by the people of Madrid as the protector of the city, the Virgin of Almudena.

Construction of the Cathedral

Not being the center of a diocese, the city did not have a cathedral. Having proclaimed Madrid the capital of the state in the 16th century, King Philip II set out to build a church on the site of an Arab mosque. But construction was constantly delayed due to political and economic instability in the country. In 1883, after the sudden death of his wife, King Alphonse XII of Spain built a crypt in which the statue of Mary of Almudena was installed.

In 1884, Pope Leo XIII established the Diocese of Madrid. The capital acquired a bishop and the church received the status of a cathedral. Initially, the project was created in neo-Gothic style by the Marquis Francisco de Cubas. The construction of the great church was repeatedly stopped and dragged on for more than 100 years. In 1944, the project was finalized and corrected by the architects Fernando Chueca-Goitia and Carl Sidro. The personal consecration of the completed cathedral by Pope John Paul II took place only in June 1993. This significant event is evidenced by the statue of the Pope in the square in front of the temple.

Architectural ensemble

Located on the Armory Square opposite the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, combining neo-romanticism with neo-gothic and baroque styles in its exterior, forms an organic ensemble with the residence of the monarchs. When building the temple, they usedlimestone, sandstone, marble and granite. The light gray facades of the cathedral and the Herreresco palace harmoniously complement each other. The huge bronze entrance gates to the temple are decorated with a story about the mysterious discovery of the statue of the Virgin Mary. The high (75 m) dome of the cathedral was built under the direction of Chueca-Goitia in the neo-baroque style.

Interior decoration of Almudena Cathedral

A distinctive feature of the temple is its location. Traditionally, churches "look" to the west and east, while the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid faces south and north. Its internal layout resembles a Latin cross. The very bright space of the temple is modestly decorated with numerous figures, canvases, frescoes and mosaics. In the chapels of the cathedral there are important burial places of the 19th century. The main altar, in Granada green marble, is surmounted by a Baroque crucifixion of Christ, made in the 17th century by Juan de Mesa.

In the space behind the altar is a painting by Francisco Rizzi "Taking off Christ's clothes", painted at the same time. The left wing of the transept is decorated with a painting on plaster "Immaculate with fleur de lis", dating from the 16th century. Choir chairs made of walnut at the end of the 16th century were moved from the ancient church of St. Carmen to the cathedral.

The most majestic and significant decorations of the chapels of the cathedral are the figure of the Virgin and the stunning beauty of the retablo of Juan of Burgundy, made in the 16th century, the statue of John the Baptist, the work of Michel of the 18th century, "Christ tied to a pole" by Giacomo Colombo. Stored in the aislecasket with the remains of Saint Isidra. The restrained beauty of the spacious temple and the huge mosaic dome amaze visitors with their grandeur.

Visit the Cathedral

Celebrations in honor of the Virgin of Almuden are held in the Cathedral every year on November 9th. The great church and the royal family do not bypass their attention: the Spanish prince, and today the king of Spain, Philip VI, in May 2004, got married in the Almudena Cathedral with his bride, TV presenter Letizia Ortiz. The cathedral receives visitors free of charge every day throughout the year, with the exception of some holidays. A quick tour of the entire temple takes about an hour.

The lucky ones who got to the service will forever remember the majestic organ music and the singing of the church choir. There is a museum at the temple, where for 6 euros you can see church jewelry, clothes, books and interior details. There is an observation deck under the dome of the vault, which offers a stunning view of the streets of the city.

Having settled in a hotel near the Almudena Cathedral (7 islas, Hotel City House Florida Norte Madrid), you have the opportunity to thoroughly explore the sights of the central part of Madrid: visit the San Miguel Bazaar, the Royal Opera House, the richest monastery in Europe - the monastery " barefoot princesses" Descalzas Reales and many other stunningly beautiful places.