Inaugurated in 1911, the Crypt of the Almudena Cathedral (not to be confused with the Cathedral or the Upper Building) is an impressive example of Neo-Romanesque architecture in Madrid. It was the first to be built in the cathedral complex, whose construction began in 1883. Built in white Portuguese limestone, it has a Latin cross floor plan with an ambulatory and consists of five naves surrounded by eighteen chapels. Its more than four hundred columns stand out, each with unique capitals that evoke biblical figures and elements of nature. This sea of columns, fifty of which are monolithic, gives the crypt a mystical and labyrinthine atmosphere, enhanced by the homogeneous light and the religious music that envelops the visitor, creating an atmosphere conducive to reflection and spirituality.
The crypt houses about a thousand tombs, including pantheons, floor tombs and columbaria, many of which belong to wealthy families who financed part of the construction in exchange for the privilege of being buried in this sacred place. Among the artistic treasures found inside are the image of the Virgin of Almudena, a replica of the one in the Upper Cathedral, and the fresco of the Virgin of the Fleur de Lis, a thirteenth-century work that was salvaged from the old church of Santa Maria de la Almudena. You can also admire sculptures by famous artists such as Mariano Benlliure, stained glass by Casa Maumejean and reliefs by José Martí Prats. The crypt, open to the public every day of the week, offers a unique experience of immersion in the history and religious art of Madrid, and its visit, although free, suggests a donation to contribute to the maintenance of the enclosure.
- Address
C. Mayor, 90, Centro, 28013 Madrid
- Web
https://criptaalmudena.archimadrid.com/ - Visiting Hours
Everyday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 20:00 - What to see
Virgin of the Fleur de Lis
