And here I will update something wonderful in my dear Madrid. It is not the oldest, but huge in meaning and a must to visit while passing by Madrid. It is simply known as the Almudena Cathedral but its official name is Santa Maria la Real Catedral de la Almudena!!! I find great joy in updating this post for all of us, Therefore, here is the Real Catedral de la Almudena of Madrid, interiors !!! Hope you too enjoy it as I.
The Catedral de la Almudena was built opposite the Palacio Real (see post) as an old church Santa Maria during the 12C. It is the episcopal seat of the diocese of the City, and it is 102 meters long and 73 meters high built on a mixture of different styles: neoclassical outside, neo-Gothic inside and neo-Romanesque in the crypt. It was begun to be built in 1883 and was consecrated by Pope John Paul IIon his fourth trip to Spain on June 15, 1993. It is the only Spanish Cathedral dedicated by a Pope. The main façade overlooks Plaza de la Armería, facing the Palacio Real.
A complete visit to the Almudena Cathedral is divided into three phases: Interior of the temple, Museum and dome, and the Crypt. Unlike most cathedrals, whose traditional orientation is East-West, that of the Almudena presents a North-South orientation. This is due to the fact that from its origins it was projected as an integral part of the Palacio Real or Royal Palace complex. In fact, its main façade looks towards the south façade of the Palace. This façade exhibits a large portico with columns on the access floor and on the first, where there is a balcony. Two towers guard the entrance. The main door, which is opened only in extraordinary events, is made of bronze and of great dimensions. Various sculptures and allegorical shields adorn the entire façade.
Ok so with time on a Sunday evening time to write about something that was in Madrid after I left from my living time there, and saw afterward while visiting the city. I have written on it in another post ,but this one was the first. I am talking about the Santa Maria la Real Catedral de la Almudena, next to the Royal Palace in Madrid. As everything there it is monumental and richly decorated. As you walk along Calle Mayor from the Plaza Mayor and you reach the Royal Palace or Palacio Real you can just look to your left and can’t missed it. Impressive view indeed! This is church of 104 meters long and 76 meters wide with a mix of architecture styles from neo classic in the exterior to neo roman in the interior and neo gothic in the crypt. It was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in his fourth trip to Spain in June 15 1993. It is the first Spanish Catedral consecrated by a Pope!!
The Virgin of La Almudena the patron saint of Madrid has its altar in the transept of the right aisle, opposite the entrance by calle de Bailén. It is a high altar, which can be accessed by two side staircases with bronze handrail. The original sculpture, representing the Virgin with the child in her arms is an image of Gothic style carved in wood. It is positioned in the central niche of the altarpiece, done by the end of the 15C. The central chapel on the ambulatory is dedicated toSan Isidro Labrador and his wifeSanta Maria de la Cabeza ,whose image is of baroque polychrome carving from the 17-18C ; the funeral coffins are from the 13C.
The interior of the Almudena Cathedral can be said it is of Latin Cross design consisting of a nave and two wide side halls with three naves. A curve ambulatory with five radical chapels. The altar table is green marble and located in the center of the transept. To the right of it is the Episcopal chair, gothic lines carved in walnut in 1885. Behind the main altar ,you see the chairs of the presbytery with a crucified sculpture of Christ in baroque style done in 1620.
The interior of the Cathedral de La Almudena is surprising for having completely different details from other cathedrals: the ceiling and stained glass windows leave aside the classical style to give way to bright colors and straight lines. The most visited elements are usually the altar of Santa María la Real de la Almudena, the surprising altarpiece in which the Virgin is placed, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament . Outside the dome, you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view, with 360 degree vision, of all of Madrid. The Casa de Campo, the mountains, the entire flat part of the south, the roofs of the center of Madrid. Everything is seen with a privileged perspective. Without a doubt, it is one of the best viewpoints in Madrid.
The Virgin of La Almudena the patron saint of Madrid has its altar in the transept of the right aisle, opposite the entrance by calle de Bailén. It is a high altar, which can be accessed by two side staircases with bronze handrail. The original sculpture, representing the Virgin with the child in her arms is an image of Gothic style carved in wood. It is positioned in the central niche of the altarpiece, done by the end of the 15C.
You will see about 18 portraits representing scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary with gentle pleasant colors, most of neo gothic style. The image of the Virgin is elevated on a pedestal of silver from the 17C, with candles and glares of the same material. The central chapel on the ambulatory is dedicated to San Isidro Labrador and his wife Santa Maria de la Cabeza ,whose image is of baroque polychrome carving from the 17-18C ; the funeral coffins are from the 13C. The Chapels on the aisle are dedicated to contemporary Saints such as Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer, decorated with sculpture reliefs. Others are Santo Venancio Blanco, Santo Mari Micael of the Blessed Sacrament ; Marian de Jesus de la Providencia, San Maravilla de Jesus, San Angel de la Cruz, San Vicente de Paula, San Luis de Marilla, San Pedro Poveda, Santa Maria Soledad Torre, Santa Maria Josefa del Corazon de Jesus. All are organise and decorated with images in contemporary style furniture for the most part. At the food of the altar you have a chapel of petinance and the baptismal chapel in white marble from the 18C.
The Almudena Cathedral organ is located in the high choir at the foot of the nave back and was done with four keyboards ,pedal keyboard with mechanical and electrical links featuring 16 line pipes with the largest at 11 pipes high. 21 on line pipes for a playing keyboard , and a pedal with 3 more.
It has ever since built, closely link to the Spanish Royal Family. In November 8 2000, was buried under the altar of the Virgin Mary, the Queen Maria de las Mercedes de Orleans, first wife of king Alfonso XII, whose remains were at El Escorial until the completion of the Cathedral. On May 22 2004, it was the scene of the marriage of Prince of Asturias Felipe of Borbon with Letizia Ortiz . On August 20, 2011, the Pope Benedict XVI became the second Pope to visit the Cathedral where he presided over Mass within the events of the XXVI World Youth Day. It was, also, the site of State ceremonies such as the funeral of former Presidents Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo in 2008 and Adolfo Suarez in 2014 (the forerunner of the Democracy movement we see today in Spain).
It is a must to see in Madrid and a great souvenir of your visit. Do not forget to see the museum (next to Cathedral) , and the Chapel of the Bishop (plaza de la paja s/n) , and the Crypt at Calle Mayor 90 ( need ask to see it at 12h or midday) , open Mondays to Saturdays from 10h to 14h30 only. Normal adult admission is 6€. ticket office is in the main façade of the Cathedral facing the Palacio Real, metro Opera lines 2 and 5 or bus 3 and 148 stop at Calle Mayor corner with Calle Bailén.
A bit of history I like tell us that there have been a desired to built a cathedral here going back to the 16C during the reign of king Felipe II. He chose Madrid as his capital. However, the Diocese of Toledo held that right and refuse to change it for many years. It was not until April 4, 1883 that king Alfonso XII finally laid the first stone of a church of what would be later the Cathedral of Madrid. The idea was just to rebuilt a church to replace the Church of Santa Maria de la Almudena, the oldest in Madrid, destroyed by fire in 1868. It was built on land ceded in 1879 by Royal heritage of the Queen Maria Mercedes , a devotee of the Virgin of the Almudena, that had died prematurely. In 1885, Pope Leon XIII decide by a pontifical decree to built a diocese in Madrid so putting an end to the opposition of the archbishops of Toledo. The draft of the new diocese took place in the Church of Saint Isidro until the cathedral was completed.
You can get there on foot as we do from anywhere in Madrid or take it easy on the metro Opéra lines 2 and 5 as well as bus lines 3, 25, 39 ; and 148.
The official Almudena Cathedral: https://catedraldelaalmudena.es/
The official museum /Chapel, and Crypt: https://museo.catedraldelaalmudena.es/#
The Madrid tourist office on the Almudena Cathedral: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/catedral-de-la-almudena
A private site in French! Monuments de Madrid, but very good on info , pictures and videos of the Almudena Cathedral: http://monumentsdemadrid.com/cathedrale-almudena-madrid
Hope you enjoy the post on the Almudena Cathedral of my dear Madrid . It is a dear must to visit, and the area around it is fantastic with the Royal Palace, Sabatini garden, Royal Opera, and to the left the Basilica San Francisco el Grande, (see posts) ,all wonderful things to see in my dear Madrid. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Real Catedral de la Almudena of Madrid, interiors !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 