Almudena Cathedral
Catedral de la Almudena
Madrid’s cathedral, begun in 1883 and only consecrated in 1993, facing the Royal Palace.
Madrid only became a bishop’s see in 1885, and its cathedral took more than a century to build. Its outside was designed to match the palace across the square; inside, its ceilings are painted in bright modern colours.
Pope John Paul II consecrated it in 1993.
More in Madrid
Puerta del SolKilometre zero of Spain’s roads, where Spain eats its twelve grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Bear and Strawberry TreeThe bronze bear reaching up into a strawberry tree, Madrid’s coat of arms on the Puerta del Sol.
Plaza MayorThe arcaded square of 1619, where Madrid held markets, bullfights and the trials of the Inquisition.
Royal PalaceWith more than 3,000 rooms the largest royal palace in western Europe, still used for state occasions.
Plaza de OrienteThe gardens between the Royal Palace and the opera, with a famous statue of Philip IV on a rearing horse.
Teatro RealMadrid’s opera house, facing the Royal Palace across the Plaza de Oriente.
Mercado de San MiguelAn iron-and-glass market hall of 1916, now a gourmet food hall next to the Plaza Mayor.
Plaza de la VillaA small square of three buildings from three centuries, the old heart of Madrid’s government.
Gran VíaThe great avenue of 1910 to the 1950s, Madrid’s Broadway of cinemas, theatres and early skyscrapers.
Chocolate con churrosFried dough sticks dipped in thick hot chocolate, at any hour of the day or night.
Bocadillo de calamaresA fried-squid sandwich, Madrid’s own snack, sold in the bars around the Plaza Mayor.