Almudena Cathedral

Santa María la Real de La Almudena is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Madrid (Spain).

History

Initial plans to build a new church, which is the St. Mary of the Almudena; wanted to dedicate ( from Arabic al - mudayna, citadel '. , A title of the Virgin Mary as patron saint of Madrid), originated in the 16th century. But the construction of the cathedral began not before the 18th century and ended only in 1993. This year, the Cathedral of Pope John Paul II was ordained and at the same time raised to the Episcopal Church of the Archdiocese of Madrid (from the diocese founded in 1885 initially had the Collegiate Church of San Isidro served as a temporary cathedral).

Although the church was begun in the Gothic Revival style, the cathedral finally erected in the style of neoclassicism to stylistically to match the adjacent Royal Palace. The interior of the Almudena Cathedral is unique with modern interiors and a " pop-art " decor, the icon painter Kiko Argüello.

In the niches of the east and the west tower each with 4 bells are rung in the rollover process hang. The large bells in the west tower were cast by the bell foundry Ocampo ( Arcos de Condesa ) In 1998, the little bells in the east tower were cast from 2003 to 2004 by the bell founder Quintana ( Saldana).

C2, which was cast in 2003 by the bell founder Quintana ( Saldana) - Inside the east tower is a 13 -voice Carillon with the beat tones c1 depends.

On May 22, 2004 took place with the wedding of Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano the first royal wedding in the Cathedral instead.

On 7 February 2013, a bomb attack on the cathedral could be prevented after a priest had found a bomb next to a confessional. Then, the cathedral was cleared and cordoned off a wide area before the bomb could be defused.

Cupola seen from the choir

South View

Monument of John Paul II

Equipment

The cathedral is built in the form of a Latin cross, consisting of the central nave flanked by two aisles, which continues into the choir room, which is surrounded by an ambulatory, followed by a ring of five chapels followed. In contrast to the external appearance, which is dominated by neo-classical and baroque style elements, the interior is built in the Gothic Revival style prevail. Also, much of the equipment is neo-Gothic.

In the south transept is the altar of the Virgen de la Almudena, patroness of Madrid. The average choir chapel dedicated to St. Isidore Labrador and his wife, of St. Maria de la Cabeza, whose portraits in 17-18. Century was created by the sculptor Juan Villabrille y Ron. They flank a sarcophagus from the 13th century, where for a time the bones of the saint were preserved. The sarcophagus is decorated with various scenes from the lives of saints.

The chapels flanking the left and right of the nave are dedicated to contemporary saints, including the Order founder Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, the Carmelite Maravillas de Jesús. All chapels are decorated in a contemporary style.

Of special importance are the windows of the cathedral, especially the apse which were completed in 2004.

Deckenausmalung

Altar plant in the southern transept

Window (Santa Maria de Atocha )

Organ

The organ was built in 1999 by Gerhard Grenzing. The instrument has 70 stops on four manuals and pedal. Noteworthy is the one the oversized trumpet or solo work and also the fact that return is positive on two small housings, which also is not directly available in the back of the organist, but each side of the organist. The Spieltrakturen are mechanical.

• Couplers: I / II, III / I, III / II, IV / II, III 16 ' / II, I / P, II / P III / P IV / P, IV 4' / P