★★★★★ 5.0
Discover
Cathedral Church of the Armed Forces
That granite facade rising before you was completed around 1744 by Pedro de Ribera, with three entrance arches carved directly into stone. Here's what's remarkable: the entire church took seventy-three years to construct, from 1671 to 1744. It rose on the foundation of a Bernardine convent founded in 1615 by the Duke of Uceda, King Philip III's closest advisor. Step through those arches and into the nave. Look up. Every inch of ceiling is covered in frescoes by the González Velázquez brothers. The main altarpiece, painted by Gregorio Ferro, depicts Saint Bernard adoring the Eucharist. But here's something most visitors never discover: inside is an actual Roman lance attributed to an ancient flamen from around 204 BC. Since 1980, this space has been Spain's Military Cathedral. Every Good Friday, the Christ of the Alabarderos procession ends precisely here on Calle del Sacramento in Madrid's historic Habsburg quarter.
Did You Know?
- : The Cathedral Church of the Armed Forces, originally the church of a Bernardine nuns' convent founded in 1615 by the Duke of Uceda, has witnessed dramatic historical events, including significant damage during the Spanish Civil War and a major reconstruction in the 20th century before becoming Spain's Military Cathedral in 1980.
- Inside, visitors are greeted by stunning Baroque artistry, including frescoes by the González Velázquez brothers on the vaults, a magnificent main altarpiece featuring a painting of Saint Bernard and Saint Benedict adoring the Eucharist by Gregorio Ferro, and two paintings by the renowned Italian artist Luca Giordano.
- One of Madrid’s most unique traditions is the Holy Week procession where the Christ of the Alabarderos, a revered statue from the Royal Palace, is paraded through the streets of Madrid de los Austrias and returns to rest in this cathedral, making it a focal point of both religious and cultural life in the city.