Santa María la Real de La Almudena is the full name of the Catholic Cathedral of Madrid. It sits opposite the Royal Palace.

 

Ever since Spain's capital was relocated from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, there were plans to build a grand cathedral in Madrid dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena.

But the colonies in the New World required full attention and lots of money, so the  project was postponed several centuries.

 

Construction began in 1879 but the project was abandoned during the Civil War. After that dark period the plans changed and it was not untill 1993 that the Almudena Cathedral was completed and consecreted by Pope John Paul II himself.

 

The main icon is the statue of the Virgen de Almudena. According to legend it was carved out of cedar wood by Saint Nicodemus himself.

 

The interior looks very modern with contemporary paintings,the ceilings are kind of special.Compared to most dark churches the cathedral is pretty bright.

 

For a small fee you can go up the tower and have a nice view over Madrid.