Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha, Madrid, Spain

The Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha is one of the six basilica churches in Madrid. The buildings on the site have a long history. The original name refers to a lost icon from a chapel which was found during the time of the Reconquista. The old church was in disrepair and rebuilt in the 1890s in a Neo-Byzantine style designed by Fernando Arbós y Tremanti.

The church was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War and reconstruction completed in 1951.

Adjacent to the church is the Pantheon of Illustrious Men or Panteón de Hombres Ilustres of Madrid. It holds the remains of only a former president of the council of ministers, José Canalejas, however it also contains a number of interesting monuments from and just after the turn of the 19th century.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in Spain

User Reviews

Seokjin Ham (5 months ago)
It was built between 1946 and 1951, utilizing the existing walls, to honor the Virgen de Atocha, who has been considered the oldest patron saint of the city of Madrid and the protector of the Spanish royal family. Previously, the site housed the old convent of the Order of Preachers of Nuestra Señora de Atocha and the original hermitage shrine dedicated to the veneration of the Virgen de Atocha. It is also a place dedicated to honoring the Santo Niño de Atocha. I recommend visiting when you want to think alone.

arnaldo carmona (2 years ago)
Beautiful and quiet place!! Perfect to get your spiritual connection.

Kent Wang (4 years ago)
Interior is not impressive for a basílica. The other basilicas in Madrid are much better

gaspar sigaya (5 years ago)
Sacred place. Miracle happens here!

Josemaría Garrido Gallego (5 years ago)
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Atocha, the first knowledge reference of his existence dates from the sixth century. It has been rebuild several times along the history, last time, after the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), where most of the Catholic Church in Madrid were destroyed by the Republican Government until his defeat by the troops of Franco. In 2007, the Pope Benedict proclaimed saints five Dominican that were martyred in the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. There are a monument in the Church Cloister commemorating these five friars that lived there. There are two pieces of interest inside: The Santo Niño of Atocha, located in the left side of the church, that is a copy of the original, destroyed in the Spanish Civil War, and the image of Our Lady of Atocha, in the altarpiece of the Church, that was hidden by the Dominicans during the War. Daily mass at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00 and 20:00. Saturday at 10:00, 12:00 and 20:00 (Sunday Mass). Sunday masses at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 (kids), 12:00, 13:00 and 20:00.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright caminanteK

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.

Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix