Paris1972-Versailles2003

In my walking tours of my dear Madrid, and with the coming of age to keep alert on the architecture all around me I came to see many buildings usually overlook by many. Of course, have written on them before, but will tell you here about a special one, this is the Real Parroquia de Santiago y San Juan of Madrid !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

 The Real Parroquia de Santiago y San Juan Bautista​, or Royal Church of Saint James and Saint John the Baptist at Calle de Santiago, 24 was a surprise find, a first even for me in my Madrid, Goes to show you , the choices are endless !! The parish of Santiago and San Juan Bautista is the oldest Jacobean temple in all of Madrid, located just 200 meters from the Almudena Cathedral, it is an ideal place to start the Camino de Santiago from Madrid. For this reason, every year they usually deliver more than 10,000 pilgrimage credentials to the Camino de Santiago!! The current church dates from the 19C, to replace two temples demolished during the reign of José Bonaparte (French intervention of Napoléon I ), who wanted to widen the Neoclassical style Plaza de Oriente, built in brick and granite, traditional materials in Madrid architecture, with a large central dome without a drum. The façade, very flat, is enlivened by pilasters of the Tuscan order and a frieze of triglyphs, with a very protruding cornice; the upper body presents an arched window that is transcribed at the top. Herrerian influences are perceived in the facings and projections with flat padding. In the windows of the lower body there are scallops and crosses of the Order of Santiago. The entrance is a simple architrave doorway, topped by a straight pediment with corbels. A rectangular relief representing Santiago in the battle of Clavijo crowns the pediment.

Also, it is worth mentioning the magnificent baptism of Christ, located on the right of the main altar . It is also interesting a San Juan Niño, beautiful baroque sculpture of Andalusian school . A Virgen de la Esperanza, with a funny throne of Angels, an image of the Blessed Mariana of Jesus ,which was baptized in the ancient parish of Santiago, a San Juan Nepomuceno, and a Virgen del Carmen, baroque, complete a valuable sculptural collection.

This Church of Santiago and San Juan Bautista is also the head of another pilgrimage route, the Camino de Uclés, which is also related to the apostle Santiago .  It begins with the Church of Santiago and San Juan Bautista in Madrid, as well as the Camino de Santiago de Madrid and ends in the province of Cuenca, In the Monasterio de Uclés,(see posts)  which was built by the order of Santiago and it was the central house of the order. Easy walk steady for 144 km ; the route can be completed in six stages, walking or by bike. These are Stage 1: Madrid – Rivas Vaciamadrid, 26.6 km. Stage 2: Rivas Vaciamadrid – Morata de Tajuña, 26.5 km.  Stage 3: Morata de Tajuña – Tielmes, 17.3 km. Stage 4: Tielmes – Estremera, 24.9 km. Stage 5: Estremera – Barajas de Melo, 26, 2 km. Stage 6: Barajas de Melo – Monasterio de Uclés, 22.9 km.

The official Royal Church of Saint James and Saint John the Baptist: https://www.santiagoysanjuan.org/

The Madrid tourist office on the Church of Santiago and St John the Baptist: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/iglesia-de-santiago

There you go folks, so much to see in this wonderful Madrid, each time it amazes me with the things to see and do, full of life vibrant ,lively, gorgeous just feeling a need to go back already ! Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Real Parroquia de Santiago and San Juan Bautista as I

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