How to visit Basilica Virgen del Prado in Talavera: schedules

Among the various monuments and interesting corners that you can visit on your getaway to Talavera de la Reina, in the province of Toledo, maybe the Prado Basilica be the most significant.

I already told you that the greatest interest that this basilica contains is found inside.

La Prado Basilica you will find it as you enter Talavera de la Reina along the old national highway from Madrid, in one of the most interesting enclaves of this small Toledo city, in the Prado gardens and in front of Alameda park.

The church shares a characteristic with these green areas, the great prominence that the traditional talavera pottery.

History Basilica Virgen del Prado in Talavera

It is a small hermitage whose origins date back to a Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Ceres.

From these origins the popular Festival of the Mondas, which is celebrated in the week after the eastern and represents a representation of an offering to said roman goddess, with a great parade that ends in the Prado Basilica.

Later, with the christianization, a first image of The Virgin that began to be revered.

In the 13th century, a first hermitage was built, a building that was renovated during the 16th century, taking on the current configuration of a central nave and two side naves.

In 1649 the construction of the current main chapel and the imposing dome that covers the transept was undertaken.

What to see when visiting the Prado Basilica

Currently you can see a building made of bricks that inside it combines the Renaissance and Baroque styles.

But as I have mentioned, the most significant element of the Basilica of the Virgin of Prado are Talavera tiles from the 16th, 18th and 20th centuries that decorate numerous corners of the interior of the basilica.

For this reason it is said that the the king Felipe II He referred to this hermitage as the Sistine Ceramic Chapel.

To highlight the main porch frieze of the basilica, which shows various religious scenes.

Inside, the tiles decorate all the walls, as well as the two originals ceramic pulpits, one originating from the 16th century and another many more recent, from the 20th century, the work of the prestigious ceramist Ruiz de Luna.

And on the cruise you can see the tile altarpiece dedicated to San Antonio, one of the most important ceramics of the 16th century.

As a curiosity, I will tell you that on the outside of the building, on its east façade, you can see various stone shieldsAnd including roman steles, coming from buildings demolished in the past, and which have been inserted into it.

Finally you must know that the church was elevated to basilica in 1989 by Pope Juan Pablo II.

Basilica Virgen del Prado schedules in Talavera

The Visiting hours of the Prado Basilica of Talavera They are, in summer, from 8 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 17 p.m. to 22 p.m., and in winter, from 8 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 16 p.m. to 21 p.m.

Here you can consult all Hours of the Basilica of Our Lady of Prado in Talavera, including mass schedules.

Photos Prado Basilica in Talavera

Here you have more photos of the Prado Basilica, to visit in Talavera de la Reina, In the province of Toledo.