No cathedral for a capital
Madrid depended on the archdiocese of Toledo for centuries, so it had no cathedral, even as the capital of an empire.
Urban Tales › Madrid › Almudena Cathedral
Almudena Cathedral: 110 years in the making
For centuries the capital of a vast empire had no cathedral of its own. Work on the Almudena began in 1883, and it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II only in 1993.
Begun1883
Consecrated1993
Length102 m
Facesthe Royal Palace
Hear the Almudena Cathedral story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
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Facing the palace
Most churches face east. The Almudena faces north, so its main front looks straight at the Royal Palace across the square.
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Three styles
Building took over a century, and it shows: neoclassical outside, neo-Gothic inside and neo-Romanesque in the crypt.
TipVisit the crypt, entered from Cuesta de la Vega, then go up to the dome for views over the palace and the Casa de Campo. With Urban Tales running, its story plays as you reach the square.
Nearby landmarks
Almudena Cathedral: common questions
Why did Madrid take so long to have a cathedral?
It belonged to the archdiocese of Toledo for centuries. The Almudena was begun in 1883 and consecrated in 1993.
What does Almudena mean?
It comes from the Arabic al-mudayna, the citadel, the walled town where, by tradition, the image of the Virgin was found.
Is the Almudena Cathedral free?
The cathedral is free to enter; the dome, the museum and the crypt have their own access and times.