Church of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena

The Church of Santa María la Real de la Almudena, better known as the Almudena Cathedral, is an imposing symbol of the city of Madrid and one of its most significant religious buildings. Located in front of the Royal Palace, the cathedral is an architectural masterpiece that tells a long and fascinating story intertwined with the historical and political events of Spain. The first stone of the cathedral was laid on April 4, 1883 by King Alfonso XII, but the project to provide Madrid with a grand cathedral dates back much earlier. Already in the 16th century, there were various attempts to expand the small church of Santa María de la Almudena, but it was only in the 19th century that the dream began to materialize. The choice of the site, right in front of the Royal Palace, emphasized the intention to create a harmonious architectural continuity between civil and ecclesiastical power. The initial project of the cathedral was entrusted to the architect Francisco de Cubas, also known as Marqués de Cubas. His vision envisioned a neo-Gothic style structure, inspired by the great European cathedrals. However, the construction was marked by interruptions and changes in the project, due to various factors, including economic difficulties and political changes. It was only in 1944, with the intervention of Marqués de Lozoya, that the cathedral found new momentum. Architects Fernando Chueca Goitia and Carlos Sidro de la Puerta adapted the project to better harmonize the building with the surrounding context, especially with the Royal Palace. The interior of the cathedral features a neo-Gothic style, with a Latin cross plan, a central nave, and two side aisles. The interior decoration is characterized by bright colors and straight lines, giving the environment a modern and luminous atmosphere. The floor, made of green serpentine marble from Granada and yellow travertine, creates a visually elegant effect. Behind the main altar, a sculpture of the Crucified Christ, by Juan de Mesa, dominates the scene. One of the most fascinating elements of the cathedral is its neo-Romanesque crypt, located beneath the main church. The crypt is dedicated to Santa María la Real de la Almudena and houses over four hundred columns, each with a unique capital, creating an effect of solemnity and grandeur. Among the works of art in the crypt, the painting of Nuestra Señora de la Flor de Lis stands out, one of the oldest images of the Virgin in Madrid, dating back to the 13th century. The main façade of the cathedral, facing the Royal Palace, is in neoclassical style, with a large portico supported by Ionic columns and a niche housing a statue of the Virgin of Almudena. This combination of architectural styles – neoclassical on the outside, neo-Gothic on the inside, and neo-Romanesque in the crypt – makes the cathedral a unique feature in the Madrid architectural landscape. The cathedral was finally consecrated on June 15, 1993 by Pope John Paul II, during his fourth trip to Spain. This event marked the conclusion of a construction process that lasted over a hundred years, during which the cathedral had become a symbol of perseverance and devotion for the people of Madrid.