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Catedral de Sta Maria la Real de la Almudena. By Nan Palmero.

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Catedral de Sta Maria la Real de la Almudena

The Catedral de Santa Mara la Real de la Almudena, the Diocese of Madrid’s main church, is a relatively new structure.

It was begun in 1883 and not completed until 1993. As remarkable as it may appear, the delay in constructing a cathedral in the capital until recently can be attributed largely to the fact that Madrid was part of the Archdiocese of Toledo, which was reluctant to relinquish it.

In this article, we will look at some of the remarkable facts about the Church. Let us have a look;

1. The cathedral was built When the capital of Spain was transferred from Toledo to Madrid

When Spain’s capital was moved from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, the seat of the Spanish Church remained in Toledo. The new capital lacked a cathedral. Plans for a cathedral dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena in Madrid were discussed as early as the 16th century. 

Despite the fact that Spain built more than 40 cities overseas during that century, including numerous cathedrals and fortresses, the cost of expanding and maintaining the Empire came first, and the construction of Madrid’s cathedral was postponed.

Making the cathedral the largest in the world was a priority at the time. All of Spain’s major cities had centuries-old cathedrals. Madrid had its own historic churches, but construction on Almudena began in 1879.

2. Francisco de Cubas designed and directed the construction

Francisco de Cubas. By Public Domain.

The cathedral appears to have been built on the site of a medieval mosque. The medieval site was destroyed when Alfonso VI reclaimed Madrid in 1083. 

The Marquis of Cubas, Francisco de Cubas, designed and directed the Gothic revival-style construction. The Spanish Civil War halted construction, and the site was abandoned until 1950 when Fernando Chueca Goitia [es] adapted de Cubas’ plans to a baroque exterior to match the grey and white fa莽ade of the Palacio Real, which stands directly opposite.

The cathedral was finished in 1993 and consecrated by Pope John Paul II.

 The marriage of King Felipe VI, then crown prince, to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano took place at the cathedral on May 22, 2004.

3. The building is a mixture of styles with a neoclassical exterior

 According to legend, when the Moors invaded the fortress where Madrid now stands in the 8th century, the people hid an image of the Virgin within the city walls, and it wasn’t until the city was reconquered in the 15th century that a wall crumbled to reveal her presence once more. According to some accounts, the legendary el Cid discovered the image in the wall and enlisted the help of the Virgen to retake the city.

The structure has a neoclassical exterior, a gothic revival interior, and a neo-romanesque crypt. It is made of granite and marble and features a large neoclassical cupola.

It is made of granite and marble. The building features a large neoclassical cupola and two towers at the main entrance. 

4. The cathedral was consecrated for worship by His Holiness Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II. Picture By Quirinale.

Construction on the Almudena Cathedral, which was built on the site of the old Santa Maria la Mayor church to honor Madrid’s patron virgin, began at the end of the nineteenth century.

The first stone of this impressive monument, located in one of the city’s most beautiful areas, was laid in 1883. The crypt was opened for worship in 1911, but construction was halted until after the Civil War when architects Fernando Chueca Goitia and Carlos Sidro took over.

Despite everything, the construction process was extremely slow. His Holiness Pope John Paul II consecrated the cathedral for worship in 1993. The interior of the church is still in Gothic style, although the outside is Classicist. 

5. The church is in honor of the Virgin

The Almudena Cathedral, guarded by the Royal Palace, is one of the most iconic places in the capital. The church dedicated to the Virgin Mary has an unrivaled history and tradition in Madrid. It also has other attractions nearby, such as the Sabatini Gardens and the Plaza de Oriente.
The church took 110 years to complete after construction began during the reign of Alfonso XII. Pope Saint John Paul II consecrated it the same year.

6. The Cathedral is an architectural work that took more than 100 years to build

The Almudena Cathedral is a work of architecture that took more than a century to complete. Similarly, the most significant changes to the church occurred between 1984 and 1993.

The presbytery was also designed in accordance with the most recent reforms inspired by the Milan Cathedral. The altar of the Virgin of Almudena was built.

On June 15, 1993, Pope Saint John Paul II paid a visit to Madrid and consecrated the ecclesia mater 110 years after it was built.

7. The crypt

The Crypt. Picture By Alberto-g-Rovi.

The image of the capital’s longest-living Virgin, the Virgen de la Flor de Lis, is preserved in the crypt of the Almudena Cathedral.

This icon was found in the Santa Maria church. This mural painting was discovered in 1623 during the reign of Philip IV, but it dates from the 12th century and was discovered while moving an altarpiece during the reign of the aforementioned Spanish monarch.

8. The cathedral is located next to the Royal Palace

Royal Palace, Madrid. Pictutre By Komal.tujare.

The Almudena Cathedral is located in the same Plaza de la Almudena, next to the Royal Palace, the Plaza de Oriente, or the Sabatini Gardens.

The schedule to visit the cathedral is from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 In the case of wanting to visit its museum and its majestic dome, it can be done from Monday to Saturday between 10 in the morning and 2:30 in the afternoon.

9. The Board of Trustees helped in the construction of the church

The works continued until 1965 when they were halted due to a lack of funds and city council support. Almost two decades passed before a board of trustees was formed in 1984 to secure the support of both public and private institutions.

It was including the city council and the National Government, both of which were controlled by left-wing politicians) to complete the work.

On June 15, 1993, Pope John Paul II consecrated it, making it the first Spanish cathedral consecrated by a Pope and the first consecrated by John Paul II outside of Rome.

10. The Almudena Cathedral consists of three main naves and many side chapels

Inside the cathedral’s vault are paintings by Kiko Arg眉ello. A famous Catholic painter from Spain who depicts some of the most iconic moments in Christ’s life and passion in his Neo-Byzantine style.

These paintings, raised at the beginning of the dome, give it a touch of color that many more 鈥渢raditional鈥� cathedrals lack.

Gerhard Grenzing built the organ in 1999, inspired by Gothic altarpieces. This incredible organ has 70 voices and produces a deep, enveloping sound.