When you go to Paseo del Prado de Madrid for visit the Prado Museum, behind the museum building you will see a church on top of a hill whose attention will be drawn to its façade. neo-gothic style and its two towers.
This is the church of San Jerónimo el Real, better known in Madrid as the Jerónimos church.
The best view, without a doubt, of the Jerónimos church is if you go from the Puerta del Sol and go down the San Jerónimo Race towards the Museo del Prado.
In the foreground you have the Neptune Fountain, and behind it rise the towers of this historic church in Madrid.
Despite having a very long history, the image that currently shows us the Jerónimos church It is relatively recent, as it dates back to the mid-19th century, when the aforementioned towers and the façade were built, all with the aforementioned neo-gothic style.
And its grand staircase is even more recent, as it was built at the beginning of the 20th century.
You should know that origins of this church dates back XV century, when by order of the Catholic Kingss a is built monastery for the Hieronymite friars Its function was to serve as accommodation for the kings during their stays in the small town of Madrid.
Together with Monastery of San Jerónimo, which is what it was called, Felipe II ordered to build a room, known as the Royal Room, where I could meditate while listening to mass.
This convent of the jerónimos It was also used for the swearing in as heirs of the crown by various princes, the first to do so was his own Felipe II.
During the War of independence Under the French, at the beginning of the 19th century, the monastery suffered serious damage and the Hieronymite friars were expelled.
Only the church and cloister were preserved from the convent, and later the building was converted into an artillery barracks.
It was in the middle of nineteenth century when the aforementioned began reforms and the church acquired its current image.
In such a way that it once again became a church headquarters of royal ceremonies, because in 1906 in the Jerónimos church the wedding of King Alfonso XIII with Victoria Eugenie.
What to see in Jerónimos Church
Yes after tour the Prado Museum you take advantage of visit the church of San Jerónimo el Real, initially you will see the neo-Gothic façade.
Inside, you find the characteristic Latin cross church, with the transept and chapels on each side of the central nave.
This interior appears somewhat gloomy, especially in the area of the main altar. Its greatest artistic attraction is found in the decoration of the aforementioned central nave.
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