Description

Essentials about the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande in brief

Just a few minutes’ walk south of the Royal Palace of Madrid, in the La Latina district, lies Madrid’s largest and also most ornate church: the Real Basílica of San Francisco el Grande (Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great). A visit to the majestic basilica is recommended both for its huge dome with the third largest diameter of all Christian churches and for its artistically valuable interior with paintings and drawings by Goya, Valázquez and Zurbarán.

The history of the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande

Legend has it that the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande was built on the site of a monastery once founded by Francis of Assis himself in the 13th century (hence its name). The church was commissioned by King Charles III and designed by Francisco Cabezas in 1761 and completed by Francisco Sabatini and Miguel Fernández in 1784.

The architecture of the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande

The basilica consists of a central, round nave, vaulted by a huge dome with a diameter of 33 meters and surrounded by six smaller chapels, also vaulted. The vaulted granite facade of the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande appears rather plain. In stark contrast to this is the magnificent interior of the church. Thanks to its wealth of art treasures, the basilica almost deserves the title of a small art museum. Numerous famous Spanish artists such as Bayeu, Goya, Velázquez and Zurbarán are represented here with drawings and paintings.

Website

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Opening hours

Admission fees

Regular price: €5

Concessions: €3

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Metro line 5 : Stops La Latina and Puerto de Toledo

Bus lines 3, 148 and N16: Stop San Francisco El Grande

By car:

The nearest car parks are Parking Hospital Vot – Promoparc and Parking La Latina.