This is the controversial Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, is it worth visiting?

On your essential visit to the Plaza de Oriente in Madrid, where you will find the great monumental jewel that is the Royal Palace, you can also visit the Almudena Cathedral.

This is the main ecclesiastical building in Madrid, which curiously only recently has the title of cathedral, and which houses the figure of the patron saint of Madrid, The Virgin of the Almudena.

Indeed, since the 16th century Madrid happened to be the capital of Spain, there was a need to provide it with a cathedral monument.

But it wasn't until year 1993  when the building was consecrated as cathedral by Pope Juan Pablo II.

Curiosities of the history of the Almudena Cathedral

As a historical reference, it is worth mentioning that the first intention in the 16th century to provide Madrid with a cathedral building focused on reforming the then church of Santa María de la Almudena.

This was a building of medieval origin that was located near where we now find the Cathedral of the Almudena.

In fact, even now you can see the archaeological remains of said medieval church of Almudena.

But this attempt ran into resistance from the Archdiocese of Toledo, which tried to ensure that Madrid was not the seat of its own diocese.

When in 1868 the medieval Almudena church that had been trying to reform, all efforts were now focused on build a great cathedral for Madrid.

Finally it was in 1883 when the King Alfonso XII laid the first stone on land given by the Royal Heritage. In parallel, the diocese of Madrid-Alcalá.

What are the controversies surrounding the Almudena Cathedral?

Now, from there began a long period of construction with several interruptions and changes of plans.

Specifically, there were numerous discrepancies between the successive architects in charge of the project, the Civil War It halted the works and, in addition, multiple modifications were made to the original design.

The result is that The mixture of architectural styles has been heavily criticized, with a neoclassical exterior, a neo-Gothic interior and a neo-Romanesque crypt.

This combination of styles is considered to be inharmonious and the result of the multiple modifications to the project, to the point that some experts have described the building as “a cross between Lladró, the Wax Museum and Las Vegas".

Another aspect criticized is the visual impact that the building produces in the environment, with a large size that makes the Royal Palace seem small in comparison, and which also broke the harmony of the cornice that overlooks the Manzanares river.

La interior decoration It has also produced much controversy, in particular, with the paintings and stained glass windows of Kiko Arguello which were added in 2004, considered by some to be out of place, with a lack of aesthetic coherence.

Finally, as a consequence of all this, the expenditure of economic resources, both state and ecclesiastical, on such a long-term project with such controversial results was also controversial.

What is the architecture of the Almudena Cathedral like?

Indeed, one of the features that will surprise you the most if you decide Visit the cathedral of Madrid It is your great mix of architectural styles.

We must start from the fact that the original project of the Marquis of Cubas, prepared at the end of the 19th century, involved the construction of a great neogothic cathedral, following the fashion that prevailed at that time.

In this way, the cathedral that was going to be built in Madrid intended to emulate the Reims cathedral, in France.

Now, the first thing that was built was the Crypt of the Almudena Cathedral, neo-romanesque style, which can be accessed from the adjacent Cuesta de la Vega, which was completed in 1911.

From then on, the works were paralyzed, and even more so after the Civil War.

When you visit the crypt, you will notice the majesty of its construction, with large, unmistakably Romanesque colonnades.

In 1950 the project was resumed, which was commissioned to Fernando Chueca Goitia y Carlos Sidro, and that was when it was decided style neoclassic of the outside of the new cathedral building.

This is because when the construction of the current building of the Cathedral of the Almudena, an architectural premise was that it formed a monumental complex with the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Of course, the style was maintained neo-gothic of the initial project for the construction of its interior.

After a new pause in the works in 1965, the works were finally resumed in 1983, until the aforementioned final consecration as Madrid Cathedral.

Regarding the external configuration of the Cathedral of the Almudena, the aesthetic impression that its two facades produce on you is totally different.

La main facade of this great Madrid monument, the one that faces north facing the Armory Square of the Royal Palace, have a neoclassical, very austere, in line with the aesthetics of the palace itself.

On the other hand, the façade that is usually used to enter the cathedral, the one that faces the Bailen street, in front of main Street, shows us a Baroque, especially because of the majesty of the great dome of the cathedral.

Model of the neo-Gothic project of the Almudena Cathedral

And the Baroque The exterior of the dome contrasts greatly with inside of it and of the entire cathedral building, which, as we have commented, is of neo-gothic style.

If you go to the Almudena Cathedral Museum in Madrid, you will have the opportunity to see a spectacular model of said original project.

The great architectural difference between that model of a pronouncedly Gothic cathedral and the building that you can see when visiting the cathedral today never ceases to surprise.

If this neo-Gothic cathedral project had been built, with its 104 meters in length and more than 100 meters high at its highest point, the Cathedral of the Almudena would have been significantly larger than, for example, the Gothic cathedral of Burgos.

This is the visit to the Almudena Cathedral

When you get to the Plaza de Oriente and you are in front of the majestic Royal Palace, on the left you will see the large dome and the two towers of the Cathedral of the Almudena.

When you plan the visit of the Almudena Cathedral, this can not only be limited to access to the interior of the temple, but you will also have the opportunity to see other notable corners.

In addition to the temple, you can visit the cathedral museum, access the dome and its main façade to see beautiful panoramic views of Madrid, and you can also go to the neo-romanesque crypt which occupies the lower part of the cathedral.

To make the most of your visit to the Almudena Cathedral, I advise you the following route.

How to visit the Almudena Cathedral Museum

The first thing you can do is visit the Almudena Cathedral museum, which you will access through the main façade of the temple that faces the Armory Square of the Royal Palace.

On this visit you will see the Chapter Room and Sacristy, and then you will go up to the upper terrace of the aforementioned facade, from where you will have the best views of the Royal Palace.

On this upper floor you will tour the two long galleries where the museum's artistic works are exhibited.

How to go up to the Terrace of the Almudena Cathedral

You will then go up to the Terrace of the Almudena Cathedral, located in the dome, from where you have different and spectacular views of this historic area of ​​Madrid.

What it is like and what to see inside the Almudena Cathedral

Afterwards you will go down to visit the interior of the temple of the Almudena Cathedral, which you will access next to its main door, the one on the north façade.

On this visit you will surely be struck by the controversial combination of neogothic architectural style and a modern and very colorful design decoration.

Altar of the Virgin of Almudena in Almudena Cathedral

You will also see that the altar dedicated to Virgin of the Almudena, Patrona of Madrid to whom the cathedral is dedicated, occupies a prominent place in it.

Indeed, when you enter the cathedral through the side door of the Bailen Street, just on the opposite side you will find the Great Altar of the Virgin of the Almudena.

Located on the right side of the temple, it is a large altarpiece of John of Burgundy, from the 16th century, where a carving from the same period as the Virgin of the Almudena, copy of the original.

Why the Virgin of Almudena is Patroness of Madrid

El origin of the Virgin of the Almudena , the patron saint of Madrid It dates back to the time when the current capital of Spain was a small town known by the name of magerit.

According to tradition, in the year 712, when the Arab invasion occurred, the inhabitants of said town decided to hide a carving of what was then called Virgin of the Vega to avoid possible desecration.

When three centuries later, in year 1085 , the King Alfonso VI He recovered magerit at the hands of the Arabs, he decided to make a procession around the Arab wall to look for the place where the carving had been hidden.

Finally this appeared, and from then on it became known as the Virgin of the Almudena (from the Arabic word almudaina, which means wall).

At the Altar of the Virgin of Almudena A side staircase has been enabled that allows access to the level where the carving is located on a 17th century silver throne.

Under the altar there is a space where the burial of Maria de las Mercedes, first woman of King Alfonso XII, great devotee of Virgin of the Almudena and promoter of the construction of the cathedral.

After dying very young, Maria de las Mercedes could not be buried in the Pantheon of Kings of the Monastery of El Escorial for not being the mother of a king.

What are the stained glass windows of the Almudena Cathedral like?

In each of the side naves you will be able to see six chapels dedicated to contemporary saints, decorated with carvings and furniture of modern design, and with contemporary style stained glass.

All the stained glass windows in the side naves and chapels show great color and a mix of figuration with geometric shapes.

However, the most notable stained glass windows They are those located in the upper part of the apse.

These  stained glass windows of the Almudena Cathedral They are part of the previously mentioned artistic group commissioned at the time to painter Kiko Argüello, founder of the religious institution Neocatechumenals.

The artistic commission also included seven mural frescoes.

Under the vaulted ceiling of the apse you will see the seven stained glass windows with totally geometric designs, and under them, seven paintings.

In six of these windows you will be able to see the noun "word» written in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, Cyrillic and Spanish. And in the seventh window, the one located in the center of the complex, you will see written the name «María«, patron saint of the cathedral.

After presbytery the traditional gyro, or circular corridor in which five other chapels are located, the one being dedicated central chapel San isidro labrador and his wife, Saint Mary of the Head.

There you can see the 13th century funerary ark that for a time preserved the remains of the saint, Patron of Madrid.

How to visit the Neo-Romanesque Crypt of the Almudena Cathedral

Finally, you must exit through the general access door to the cathedral, the one that faces Bailén Street, and go down to the right along the Cuesta de la Vega.

There you will find the aforementioned Neo-Romanesque crypt, a hidden corner of the cathedral building that I can tell you will be struck by the enormous columns that are distributed throughout its floor.

Opened for worship in May 1911, it was in the years following the opening of the crypt when ten o'clock was ending chapels-pantheons of noble families of the time.

Currently, the Crypt of the Almudena Cathedral fulfills the function of parish of Santa María la Real de la Almudena.

When you arrive at its façade, you will see that it has a medieval style, with a triple door with a semicircular arch.

As soon as you enter the crypt, which you are going to do for the gyro, or back of the High altarAs I have told you, you will be impressed by the large number of columns with capitals of enormous size and different designs, all profusely illuminated.

La Crypt of the Almudena Cathedral It has the classic Latin cross plan, and in its central nave there are 50 enormous columns measuring 3,28 metres in height and with a perimeter of 2,2 metres.

Additionally, in the rest of the crypt you can see another 365 columns.

As you walk through the side naves, apart from the aforementioned ten private pantheons, on the floor you will see a succession of graves.

They are not only the property of noble families, but also of all those people who have wished to be buried in this crypt, since the possibility of having a tomb there is open to everyone.

La most outstanding artistic work that is preserved is the wall painting Our Lady of the Fleur de Lys, which seems to date back to the time of the Reconquest Madrid.

Discovered in 1623, even without conclusive evidence, it is considered that this painting was painted by order of Alfonso VI in the year 1083 to be venerated until the image of Santa María de la Almudena.

By following these basic tips, you will complete the visit to the cathedral and have a real vision of the dimensions of this architectural project that will allow you to form your own opinion on the controversy that has surrounded its construction.

Virtual tour of the Crypt of the Almudena Cathedral

In advance of your visit, here is this video and a 360 virtual tour of the Crypt of the Almudena Cathedral Madrid.

Visiting hours of the Almudena Cathedral

If you would like to visit the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, you should know that entry is free, although a donation of one euro is requested.

The Visiting hours of the Almudena Cathedral They are throughout the year, between 10 a.m. and 20,30:10 p.m., except in the months of July and August, when they are between 21 a.m. and XNUMX p.m.

The  Almudena Crypt schedules Free visits are available every day of the week, from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m., and from 16,30:20 p.m. to XNUMX p.m.

Now, you can also sign up for guided tours which you must reserve in advance, and which take place from Monday to Friday at 10 and 12 in the morning.

With a duration of one hour and a price of 4 euros, here you have the information about the guided tours of the Almudena Crypt.

Hours and ticket prices for the Almudena Cathedral museum

With regards to  visit of the Almudena Cathedral Museum, el Time It is Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 14,30:XNUMX p.m., and is closed on Sundays and holidays.

The museum visit includes the possibility of climb to the dome of the Cathedral from where you have panoramic views of this historic area of ​​Madrid

El price of admission all with visit the Almudena Cathedral museum, both on your own and in a guided group, it is 7 euros.

The visit includes the Museum, The Chapter Room, The Sacristy and climb to the Dome of the Cathedral.

There is a reduced price 5 euros for children from 10 to 16 years old, students up to 25 years old, seniors +65, retirees, large families and the disabled, among other groups.