5 Best Sights in Madrid, Spain

In 1760 Carlos III built this basilica on the site of a Franciscan convent, allegedly founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1217. The dome, 108 feet in diameter, is the largest in Spain, even larger than that of St. Paul's in London. The seven main doors, of American walnut, were carved by Casa Juan Guas. Three chapels adjoin the circular church, the most famous being that of San Bernardino de Siena containing a Goya masterpiece depicting a preaching San Bernardino. The figure standing on the right, not looking up, is a self-portrait of Goya. The 16th-century Gothic choir stalls came from La Cartuja del Paular, in rural Segovia Province.

In 1760 Carlos III built this basilica on the site of a Franciscan convent, allegedly founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1217. The dome, 108 feet in diameter, is the largest in Spain, even larger than that of St. Paul's in London. The seven main doors, of American walnut, were carved by Casa Juan Guas. Three chapels adjoin the circular church, the most famous being that of San Bernardino de Siena containing a Goya masterpiece depicting a preaching San Bernardino. The figure standing on the right, not looking up, is a self-portrait of Goya. The 16th-century Gothic choir stalls came from La Cartuja del Paular in rural Segovia province.

The first stone of the cathedral, which faces the Palacio Real, was laid in 1883 by King Alfonso XII, and the resulting edifice was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. La Almudena is controversial due to its hodgepodge of architectural styles; it is playfully mocked by Madrileños, who sometimes call it la fea (the ugly one). Built on the site of the old church of Santa María de la Almudena (the city's main mosque during Arab rule), the cathedral has a wooden statue of Madrid's female patron saint, the Virgin of Almudena, allegedly discovered after being hidden by Christian devotees during the so-called Reconquest. The cathedral's name is derived from the place where the relic was found, within the wall of the old citadel (in Arabic, al-mudayna). 

Built between 1792 and 1798 by Italian architect Francisco Fontana, this neoclassical chapel was financed by King Carlos IV, who also commissioned Goya to paint the vaults and the main dome. Goya depicted events of the 13th century (such as St. Anthony of Padua resurrecting a dead man) as if they had happened in his own time five centuries later, with naturalistic images never used before to paint religious scenes. Opposite the image of the frightening dead man on the main dome, Goya painted himself as a man covered with a black cloak. Goya, who died in Bordeaux in 1828, is buried here (without his head, which was stolen in France) under an unadorned gravestone.

Most Madrileños have no idea that the city's (and greater region's) oldest Mudejar church, erected in the 13th century, is located in Carabanchel. Though currently under renovation and closed to the public, it remains exceptionally well-preserved. The hermitage has a rectangular floor plan and a six-story brick-and-stone belfry with two bells (these were added in the 20th century). Note the intricate Moorish-influenced arches above the doorways and windows fashioned out of brick. If by some stroke of luck you gain entry to the church—it purportedly opens occasionally on Saturday at 11 am—you'll find colorful medieval frescoes and a well within.