Cathedral of the Almudena

Cathedral of the Almudena

The Cathedral of the Almudena is located in Madrid, the capital of Spain, facing the Royal Palace of Madrid. Its full name is the Royal Cathedral of the Almudena, and it serves as the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid, with the Virgin of Almudena (also known as the Virgin of the Barn) as its patron saint.

In 1561, Spain moved its capital from Toledo to Madrid, but the ecclesiastical center remained in Toledo, leaving the new capital without a cathedral for many years. Construction of the cathedral in Madrid began in 1879 and, after more than a century of intermittent work, was completed in 1993. The Cathedral of the Almudena features a Baroque architectural style, measuring 104 meters in length and 76 meters in width, with a central dome that spans over 20 meters in diameter. Its interior is decorated in a highly modern style, offering a refreshing aesthetic. It was officially consecrated in 1993 by Pope John Paul II, making it the newest functioning cathedral in Europe. A venerated image of the Virgin of Almudena in her original form is enshrined in a chapel on the western side of the church. In 2004, Felipe, the heir to the Spanish throne, married news anchor Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano in this cathedral.

Almudena Cathedral

Must-visit reason: The newest functioning cathedral in Europe

Continent: Europe

Country/Region: Spain

Province/State: Autonomous Community of Madrid

City: Madrid