The unique architecture of the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid

Visiting the Spanish capital, it is impossible to bypassthe attention of the stunning beauty of the Cathedral of Almudena. The splendor of the interior, the unique combination of architectural styles, the enchanting beauty of the cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena attracts both tourists and locals. About him and will be discussed in the article.

Legends and legends

The Curious History of Almudena Cathedral in Madridknows and will be happy to tell every Spaniard. The legend says that the Apostle James, preaching Christianity and turning the pagans, brought to the territory of modern Spain a statue of the Virgin Mary. Soon the power in the country was captured by the Arabs. The locals hid the sacred relic and for many years it could not be found. In 1083 the country was liberated from Muslims. After the solemn moleben, King Alphonse VI passed with a festive procession through the streets of the city. The wall of the fortress collapsed and an unharmed statue of the Mother of God appeared to all those present. In translation from Arabic, Al mudayna means a citadel or fortress. And the returned relic was called Virgo Almudena.

Today in the temple is a 16th century statue, which the inhabitants of Madrid venerate as the defender of the city of the Virgin of Almudena.

Construction of a cathedral

Not being the center of the diocese, the city did not havethe cathedral. Having proclaimed Madrid as the capital of the state in the 16th century, King Philip II intended to build a church on the site of an Arab mosque. But construction was constantly postponed because of political and economic instability in the country. In 1883, after the sudden death of his wife, King Alfonso XII of Spain built a crypt in which the statue of Mary of Almuden was erected.

In 1884, Pope Leo XIII established the dioceseMadrid. The capital acquired a bishop and the church received the status of a cathedral. Originally the project was created in the Gothic style by the Marquis Francisco de Kubas. The construction of the great church was repeatedly stopped and dragged on for more than 100 years. In 1944, the project was finalized and corrected by the architects Fernando Chueca-Goitya and Carl Sidro. The personal consecration of the finished cathedral by Pope John Paul II was completed only in June 1993. This significant event is witnessed by a statue of the Pope on the square in front of the church.

Architectural ensemble

Located on the Armory Square oppositeThe Royal Palace of Almudena Cathedral, combining in its exterior neo-romanticism with neo-gothic style and baroque, forms an organic ensemble with the residence of monarchs. When the church was erected, limestone, sandstone, marble and granite were used. The light gray facades of the cathedral and the palace in the style of erreseco harmoniously complement each other. The huge bronze entrance gate to the temple is decorated with a story about the mysterious discovery of the statue of the Virgin Mary. A high (75 m) dome of the cathedral was built under the direction of Chuek-Goitya in neo-baroque style.

Interior of the Cathedral of Almudena

A distinctive feature of the temple is itslocation. Traditionally, churches "look" to the west and east, and the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid is directed to the south and north. Its interior layout resembles a Latin cross. Very bright space of the temple is modestly decorated with numerous figures, canvases, frescoes and mosaics. In the cathedral chapels of the cathedral are important burial sites of the XIX century. The main altar of Granada's green marble is crowned with the crucifixion of Christ in the baroque style, executed in the XVII century by Juan de Mesa.

In the space behind the altar is the pictureFrancisco Rizzi "The removal of clothes from Christ," written at the same time. The left wing of the transept is decorated with a painting on the plaster "Immaculate with Fleur de lis", dating from the 16th century. From the ancient church of St. Carmen, the choir chairs, made in the end of the 16th century from walnut trees, were moved to the cathedral.

The most majestic and significant decorationsThe chapel of the cathedral is the figurine of the Virgin and the stunning beauty of the retablo of Juan Burgundy, executed in the 16th century, the statue of John the Baptist, the work of Michel of the 18th century, "The Christ tied to a pole" by Giacomo Colombo. In the zaaltarnom passage is stored a casket with the remains of Saint Isidra. Restrained beauty of a spacious temple and a huge mosaic dome shock visitors with their greatness.

Visit to the Cathedral

Celebrations in honor of the Virgin of Almudena are held incathedral every year on November 9. He does not ignore the great church and royal family: the Spanish prince, and today King Philip VI of Spain was married in Almudena Cathedral in May 2004 with his fiancee, the TV presenter Letizia Ortiz. Visitors to the cathedral accepts free daily throughout the year, with the exception of some festive days. A cursory examination of the entire temple takes about an hour.

Lucky people who have fallen in worship, foreverremember the majestic organ music and the singing of the church choir. At the temple there is a museum in which for 6 euros you can see church jewelry, clothes, books and interior details. Under the dome of the vault, an observation deck with a stunning view of the streets of the city.

Settled in a hotel next to the Almudena Cathedral (7islas, Hotel City House Florida Norte Madrid), it is possible to thoroughly explore the sights of central Madrid: visit the bazaar San Miguel, the Royal Opera House, the richest in Europe monastery - the monastery of the "barefoot princesses" Descalzas Reales and many other stunning beauty places.