The only papally consecrated church in Spain: Madrid's Almudena Cathedral 🇪🇸

La Catedral de la Almudena, a magnificent neo-Gothic cathedral, stands as one of Madrid's iconic landmarks, situated in the heart of the Spanish capital's historic district. The cathedral faces the Royal Palace across the Plaza de la Armería, creating a splendid panorama of cultural and architectural harmony. 🏰 The patron saint of the cathedral is Our Lady of Almudena, symbolizing the "Mother of the Granary." The original statue of the Virgin is enshrined in a chapel on the western side of the cathedral. Located on the western side of Madrid's city center, the cathedral features a Baroque architectural style. In 1561, when Spain moved its capital from Toledo to Madrid, the ecclesiastical center remained in Toledo, leaving the new capital without a cathedral. Consequently, plans were made to construct this cathedral and dedicate it to Our Lady of Almudena. However, construction did not officially commence until 1879. Regrettably, the project was forced to halt during the Spanish Civil War and did not resume until 1950. The original Gothic Revival architecture was altered to a Baroque style, corresponding with the white and gray façade of the Royal Palace. On June 15, 1993, the cathedral was officially inaugurated, becoming the most recently established cathedral in Europe. ⛪️ Address: Plaza de la Almudena 28013 Madrid. Price: Free entry to the cathedral; a ticket to the top costs 7 euros. #NannyLevelTravelPhotographyGuide #AttractionPhotoGuide 📸