Quick Details
Guided walking tour of Madrid’s historic churches and Vatican connections
The tour will begin at the Almudena Cathedral, next to the statue of John Paul II, at 10:00 a.m. During this first stop, we will explore the relationship between Madrid and the papacy, as well as the historic consecration of the cathedral by St. John Paul II in 1993.
Next, we’ll walk up Calle Mayor until we reach the Church of San Nicolás de los Servitas, considered one of Madrid’s oldest churches and currently linked to the city’s Italian community. During this stop, we’ll learn about Madrid’s medieval origins, the Mudejar influence, and the historical presence of international religious communities in the capital.
We will continue the tour by crossing Plaza de la Villa and the historic streets of Madrid de los Austrias, passing through Calle del Codo and the plazas of Conde de Miranda and Barajas until we reach the Pontifical Basilica of San Miguel. There, we will take a tour inside to admire one of Madrid’s most important Baroque churches and learn about Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei, who was closely associated with the Church in the 20th century and various contemporary popes.
The tour will begin at the Almudena Cathedral, next to the statue of John Paul II, at 10:00 a.m. During this first stop, we will explore the relationship between Madrid and the papacy, as well as the historic consecration of the cathedral by St. John
Next, we will cross Calle de Segovia and walk along Calle del Nuncio, where the Apostolic Nunciature in Spain is located, the Holy See’s official diplomatic representation in Spain. Along the way, we will explain the Vatican’s diplomatic role and its historical influence in Spain. We will continue to the Church of San Pedro el Viejo, one of the city’s oldest parishes.
We will end the tour at the Royal Collegiate Church of San Isidro, where we will visit the tomb of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of Madrid. During this final stop, we will also learn about the history of Madrid’s first bishop, Narciso Martínez Izquierdo, who was assassinated in 1886, as well as the founding of the modern Diocese of Madrid.
The tour will end around 12:30 p.m. in the area around the basilica, where you can continue to enjoy the atmosphere of historic Madrid, its squares, and its culinary offerings.
-
Guided commentary at each stop
Interior visit to the Basilica Pontificia de San Miguel
Visit to the tomb of San Isidro at the Real Colegiata de San Isidro
-
- Meet at Almudena Cathedral by the statue of John Paul II at 10:00am to learn about Madrid’s ties to the papacy and the 1993 consecration.
- Walk up Calle Mayor to the Church of San Nicolás de los Servitas to explore Madrid’s medieval origins and Mudéjar influence.
- Pass through Plaza de la Villa and the streets of the Madrid de los Austrias, including Calle del Codo and the plazas of Conde de Miranda and de Barajas.
- Enter the Basilica Pontificia de San Miguel for an interior visit and a talk on Josemaría Escrivá and 20th-century Church links.
- Cross Calle de Segovia and proceed along Calle del Nuncio, learning about the Apostolic Nunciature and Vatican diplomacy in Spain.
- Continue to the Church of San Pedro el Viejo, one of Madrid’s oldest parishes.
- Finish at the Real Colegiata de San Isidro, visiting Saint Isidro’s tomb and hearing about the first bishop and the modern diocese, concluding around 12:30pm.