When passing/walking by the Puerta del Sol , you probably won’t notice this church, which is a pity, Well as you can see, there is so much to see even in popular areas, there are still off the beaten path monuments such as this one. I like to update this older post to revive this wonderful monument in my dear Madrid, The Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen y San Luis Obispo or the Our Lady of Carmel and St Louis the Bishop Church is worth the detour indeed, Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen and San Luis Obispo is located on Calle del Carmen nº 10, very close to the Puerta del Sol, and is one of the best known and most visited churches in the old town. The church is the only remaining survivor of the former convent of Carmen Calzado, or footed carmel of Carmelite religious brotherhood. Originally, it was dedicated to San Damaso, but was always known by the name of the order that occupied it. The convent was confiscated in 1836, and the monks were exclaustrated; however, the church was preserved, converted in 1910 into a parish added to the neighboring of San Luis Obispo Church on Calle de la Montera, although some of its elements were modified. Later Our Lady of Carmel became an independent parish. During the Battle of Madrid , during the Spanish Civil War , the temple was desecrated, the graves were violated and the images were destroyed except for the titular Virgin who was at high altitude.
The Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen and San Luis Obispo is a large, single-nave church with a large hall, blind dome and niche chapels in the body of the nave. It was built in the 17C. Inside, the wrought iron balconies that open to the nave and the semicircular arch entrances to the side chapels, closed with iron grills. The presbytery is chaired by a large altarpiece of classicist lines, which replaces the one that once drew for that space. In the attic, a Trinity, the work respectively representing the Punishment of Saint Elisha and the Destruction of the false prophets by Saint Elias. One of the most revered images of the temple is that of Nuestra Señora del Carmen or Our Lady of Carmen, taken in procession every July 16.
On the outside of the temple can be highlighted the cover that gives the side of the nave, a severe classicism, formed by a semicircular arch flanked by Corinthian columns, as a triumphal arch, with a niche with triangular pediment and auctions of balls and pyramids, of clear escurialense influence. The cover of the base of the temple is also valuable, as it is the only preserved remains of the old church of San Luis Obispo, moved here in 1950; Baroque work formed by a straight vain decorated with broken mouldings and cards and two lateral columns raised on high plinths with faceted shaft, finishing the set a cornice with brackets, a very outgoing pediment and a niche with the statue of Saint Louis, Since February 2010 the Brotherhood of Los Gitanos has its canonical headquarters in this church.
Recent archeological work in the church has found a tile floor going back to the 11C, still in research and renovation !!!
The official Hermandad de los Gitanos or the Brotherhood of the Gypsies: http://hermandadlosgitanosmadrid.es/corporacion/parroquiadelcarmenysanluis/
The Madrid tourist office on the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen y San Luis Obispo: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/iglesia-de-ntra-sra-del-carmen
There you go folks, another hidden jewel of my dear Madrid !, The Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen y San Luis Obispo is a nice alternative or addition to your visit to the Puerta del Sol. Again, hope you enjoy the post as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 