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All Spain Madrid San Antonio de los Alemanes

San Antonio de los Alemanes

The little church's beautifully frescoed ceiling has earned it the nickname “the Sistine Chapel of Madrid.”

Madrid, Spain

Added By
Luis Morato
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The frescoed dome of San Antonio de los Alemanes.   Zarateman/public domain
The frescoed dome of San Antonio de los Alemanes.   Zarateman/public domain
The frescoed dome of San Antonio de los Alemanes.   Mercedes Blanco/cc by-sa 2.0
Panoramic view of the walls   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
The frescoed dome of San Antonio de los Alemanes.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Close-up of a fresco depicting Saint Louis, King of France.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Niches of the crypt.   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
front view of the entrance   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
side view of the outside of the church   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
the famous dome   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Unassuming from the outside, this small building goes unnoticed to most people who walk down Gran Via Avenue. Yet right behind this important artery of the city of Madrid, there is a church whose austere façade reveals no clue as to the spectacularly beautiful baroque interior.

Inside the church, the domed ceiling and the walls are richly decorated with frescoes, leading it to be dubbed "the Sistine Chapel of Madrid." The elaborate frescoes depict the life and miracles of the titular saint of the church, St. Anthony of Padua.

Built in the 17th century, this church initially served as a hospital for Portuguese citizens who came to Madrid while Portugal was under Spanish rule. After Portuguese independence, it was dedicated to German pilgrims and its name was changed to the current name, Iglesia de San Antonio de los Alemanes (Church of Saint Anthony of the Germans).

Around 1660, the church's dome began to be painted according to sketches by the Italian artists Coloma and Mitelli. The frescoes were started two years later, painted by Carreño de Miranda and Francisco de Rizzi, commissioned King Felipe IV of Spain.

A fresco of St. Anthony of Padua, a Franciscan born in Lisbon in 1195, occupies the most important place in the dome. He is depicted kneeling on a cloud receiving the Child Jesus and Virgin Mary with open arms. The different miracles of the saint are represented along the entire upper level of the church, while several sainted kings from history are represented below them.

Under the church, there is a curious crypt with several niches that house corpses of the Spanish royal family, some dating back to the Middle Ages. Nearby there are more niches, where children and some unknown bodies were laid to rest.

Related Tags

Churches Paintings Art Domes Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

The nearest tube station is Gran Via. Take Valverde St. and then take the third street on the left (Calle Puebla).

Community Contributors

Added By

Luis Morato

Edited By

Meg, Xavixavir, Ozymandius Son

  • Meg
  • Xavixavir
  • Ozymandius Son

Published

December 13, 2018

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_de_los_Alemanes
  • https://madridestefindeq.com/2018/03/21/la-capilla-sixtina-de-madrid/
San Antonio de los Alemanes
22 Calle de la Puebla
Madrid
Spain
40.422452, -3.703677
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