Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida

Madrid, Spain

The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida is a Neoclassical chapel, best known for its ceiling and dome frescoes by Francisco Goya. It is also his former burial place.

The chapel was built in the general location of two prior chapels built in the 1730s, which were on the land of a farm called La Florida. The present structure was built by Felipe Fontana from 1792 to 1798 on the orders of King Carlos IV, who also commissioned the frescoes by Goya and his assistant Asensio Juliá.

In 1919 Goya's remains were transferred here from Bordeaux, where he had died in 1828. Famously, the skull was missing, a detail the Spanish consul had immediately advised to his superiors in Madrid, who wired back, 'Send Goya, with or without head.' In 1928 an identical chapel was built alongside the original, in order to allow the original to be converted into a museum, and the headless remains were moved again.

The frescoes by Goya were completed over a six-month period in 1798. The frescoes portray miracles by Saint Anthony of Padua. On the main cupola of the chapel Goya depicted Saint Anthony raising a man from the dead and exculpating his father, who had been falsely accused of his murder. Instead of portraying the scene as occurring in thirteenth-century Lisbon, Goya relocated the miracle to contemporary Madrid.

 

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Details

Founded: 1792-1798
Category: Religious sites in Spain

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4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Alex Cheyne (5 months ago)
This place is a bit out of the way, but worth making the effort for. Inside the right hand of two mirror inage churches (I think) you'll find an interior painted with Goya frescos. It's not huge, but it's free, the chamber is very harmonius and Goya's tomb is also here. Apparently it is the only place in Madrid where you can see Goya's work in it's original setting.
Nikos Parastatidis (7 months ago)
This is a hidden off the beaten track marvel. We reached it by taking a short bus ride from the center. There is no entrance fee nor too many visitors. Goya’s paintings cover the ceilings and it was made during his creative peak. Personally this has to be one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences art ever gave me.
Ken Richards (12 months ago)
A peaceful little Chapel containing the tomb of the painter Goya, gazed down on by the distinctive beady eyes of nymphs and cherubs in frescoes painted by the artist. Enjoyment moderately diminished by the 15 minute wait for entry because the Chapel was filled by a tour group being bored stiff by the superfluous commentary of their verbose guide piped into their earbuds. Commentary unnecessary. Just sit and contemplate. Note to management. Ban tour guides. Note: photography not allowed. Just looking.
Pong Lenis (13 months ago)
Was absolutely beautiful, Francisco Goya is buried here and he has a lovely church and tomb inside. The painting is very lovely, staff were very friendly, you cannot take pictures when inside; was definitely worth stopping by. I would definitely recommend checking it out if you’re in the area.
Giuseppe Di Silva (5 years ago)
One of the great treasures of Spain, some of Goya's greatest art. Nearly all visitors are Spanish tourists.
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