Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, Madrid, Spain

The Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande is a Roman Catholic church in central Madrid. The main façade faces the Plaza of San Francisco, at the intersection of Bailén, the Gran Vía de san Francisco, and the Carrera de san Francisco. It forms part of the convent of Jesús y María of the Franciscan order. The convent was founded in the 13th century at the site of a chapel.

The basilica was designed in a Neoclassic style between 1761 and 1768, based on a design by Francisco Cabezas, developed by Antonio Pló, and completed by Francesco Sabatini. The church contains paintings by Zurbarán and Francisco Goya. The temple once functioned as the National pantheon and enshrined the remains of famous artists and politicians.

The dome is 33 metres in diameter and 58 metres in height; its shape is very similar to the Pantheon's dome, having a more circular shape than the typical domes built in the 18th century.

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User Reviews

Thomas Conlon (6 months ago)
Miguel beltran the organist was tremendously powerful. His concert was great. Architecturally, this space was wonderful and expansive. One of the most beautiful churches in the entire world. The painted ceilings, immaculate dome, and gold ornamentation all stand out to me. Miguel angel is amazing at his job. Gave us a great tour, and was so kind and compassionate.

Claudia Capella (7 months ago)
One of the must you have to see in Madrid. One of the most beautiful dome in town. And the visit is free! Then you have to walk up to the street and you will have the beautiful view of the building.

Devansh (11 months ago)
The Basilica of San Francisco was constructed on the site of a former Franciscan convent founded in the 13th century. Its beautiful interiors with paintings are worth a short trip. Historical relevance as a neo-classical architecture.

Swaminathan Iyer (12 months ago)
Beautiful cathedral in Madrid with the largest dome in Europe . It’s required a 5 euro entry has a huge collection of paintings and beautiful architecture

Jim Rives (16 months ago)
It’s as incredible as the pictures show. I especially liked the carving. A couple of notes: google does not show hours and the official website is wrong. See my first picture for the posted hours. Signs by the entry doors say pictures are not allowed but the attendants say that’s only during the Mass. Other times are ok. Don’t miss this highlight of Madrid.

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Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Basilica of San Francisco el Grande

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