The Basilica Minor San Francisco el Grande of Madrid , part I !!!

Posted in Madrid, Spain

And why not continue this wonderful ride in my dear and sublime Madrid !!! This is off the beaten path of the many things to see in Madrid but worth the detour me think. I have several ,many posts on Madrid in my blog. Therefore, here is my take again on the Basilica Minor San Francisco el Grande of Madrid , part I !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

Madrid Basilica San Francisco el Grande front jul23

The origins of the Basilica San Francisco el Grande date back to a former Franciscan convent. According to legend, the convent was founded by Francis of Assisi around 1217. In 1776, Sabatini designated the main facade and side towers. The facade is divided into two floors. The first consists of three semicircular arches, supported by Doric pilasters and separated by adjacent columns. The second floor has three lintel bays, again separated by columns. The set is embellished with a central triangular pediment and a balustrade. On the balustrade, there are four statues of saints, coming from London. On the tympanum of the pediment is represented the cross of Jerusalem. Above, the Franciscan coat of arms and a royal crown. On both sides of the facade, two towers rise ending in undulating points and weathervanes.

Madrid

During the French invasion, it was transformed into a hospital. When Mendizábal is redeemed, the church passes into the hands of the State. From 1869 it became a National Pantheon, housing the remains of Calderón de la Barca, Garcilaso de la Vega, among others. In addition, at the end of the 19C, the temple underwent a major reform. Already under the reign of Alfonso XIII, the temple was returned to the Franciscans. The church underwent further reforms aimed at restoring its frescoes. It is still ongoing renovations even if stays open during limited hours.

Madrid Basilica San Francisco el Grande left side wall jul23

It presides over the western face of Plaza San Francisco , set by the intersection of Calle Bailen  and the Carrera de San Francisco street. It is part of the Franciscan convent of Jesús y María, founded at the beginning of the 13C, on a now gone  hermitage dedicated to Saint Mary.  The current Basilica was built in neoclassical style in the second half of the 18C. The Basilica stands out for its dome, considered as the third largest diameter circular plant in Christendom.

The Madrid tourist office on the basilica : https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/san-francisco-el-grande

There you have it folks, one of the nicest off the beaten path sites in Madrid, even if in an area very much frequented near the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Basilica Minor San Francisco El Grande, part I as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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