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Since Madrid is a Roman Catholic city, the churches and basilicas found in the city are almost thousands of years old. There are around 200 churches all throughout the city. The following religious buildings listed below are those that are a must to visit. It will definitely be worth the trip since each church displays a mixture of Madrid s finest in history, arts, culture, architecture and religion.
Basilica de San Francisco
Located at Plaza de San Francisco el Grande , this church signifies the transition of baroque to neoclassical designs.
Founded in 1566, this basilica boasts an outstanding copula, which is regarded as the most impressive piece of the 18 th century.
If you wish to attend mass, it s scheduled on Tuesdays up to Saturdays, at 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and 4:00pm to 6:30 pm. There are also masses during late nights every Fridays and Saturdays.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena
After 110 years of construction, this cathedral was finished and officially sanctified by the Pope only in 1993. In 1871, under the reign of Alfonso XII, the architect Giambattista Saccheti planned the architectural outline of this cathedral.
In 1883, the cathedral was reshaped to make the appearance similar to the cathedral at Rheims .
However, another architect named Fernando Chueca Goitia gave a neoclassical effect to its original design.
One of the most amazing facts about this cathedral is it took 30 years for the crypt alone to be completed.
The church is open daily for everyone, with masses at 10:00 am to 1:30 pm and 6:00 pm to 7:45 pm. If you wish to visit the cathedral by riding the metro, you could get off at the Opera station.
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The Church of San Nicolas de los Servitas
The San Nicolas de los Servitas is the earliest church in Madrid .
Its bell tower, which dates around the 12 th century, is considered one of the oldest structures in the city. Although this tower is believed to have been a mosquet s minaret once, it was subsequently sanctified as a Catholic Church.
In the 15 th century, the rest of the church was reconstructed.
Inside the church, there are art collections included in the interior such as Nicolas Busi s sculptures, paintings by Pedro de Mena and Salvatierra.
In 1597, the church s architect Juan de Herrera s remains were buried inside the crypt.
The Church of San Nicolas de los Servitas celebrates mass in Italian when a large number of people requests for it.
The church is open for guided tours every Mondays at 9:00 am up to 1:30 pm. It does not allow group of tourists to visit the church during mass.
If you wish to visit this church alone, you could ride the metro and go down at the Tirso de Molina and La Latina station.
The Church of San Pedro el Grande
This church, one of Madrid s largest churches, stands from way back during the 15 th century. However, the Church of San Nicolas de los Servitas is a century older.
In the 18 th century, the church s interior was renovated. The architectural design of this church was based on a Moorish design.
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La Capilla del Obispo - The Bishop s Chapel
The Bishop s Chapel is located in the Plaza del Marques de Comillas . It was built around 1535. This is the only standing gothic church in Madrid .
In 1518, the remains of San Isidro were transferred into the chapel.
In 1931, the Bishop s Chapel became a national monument. This architectural brilliance represents the city s transition from gothic to the Renaissance period. The apse is covered with gothic vaults. Alternatively, the door and interior reflects the Renaissance.
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Monasterio de la Encarnacion - Monastery of the Incarnation
In 1611, Felipe III s wife, Empress Margarita de Austria, ordered this church to be built. The original design was planned by Juan Gomez de Morain .
Unfortunately, in 1735, a dreadful fire tore the church down. Although it was reconstructed in 1734 by Ventura Rodriguez, the only remaining feature of the original church is the granite fa
The nuns of the Augustine order still live in the monastery.
If you wish to visit this church, there is a 45-minute guided tour available every Wednesdays up to Saturdays. Although there is an admission charge, the price is reasonable, reduced for students and citizens of European countries are free of charge.
The tour takes the visitor into the Royal Room, which is the highlight of the church, and into the monastery, into the monastery museum, and the dried blood of San Pantaleon. It is believed that every 28 th of June, the blood from the saint liquefies.
There nearest metro station to get to the church is at the Opera station.
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