Church of Saint Anthony of the Germans, Baroque Catholic church in central Madrid, Spain.
The Church of Saint Anthony of the Germans is a baroque Catholic building in central Madrid, known for its elliptical floor plan and fully painted interior surfaces. The facade shows elements following the Herrera style, while the walls and dome inside are covered with continuous frescoes.
The building was erected in 1624 as a church for Portuguese immigrants under the name San Antonio de los Portugueses. After Portuguese independence in 1640, the German community in Madrid took over the church and renamed it.
The name Saint Anthony of the Germans comes from the German community in Madrid that took over the building in the 17th century. Visitors today notice the frescoes covering walls and dome, showing how Spanish painters expressed Catholic themes of their time.
The building opens Monday through Saturday between 10 AM and 5 PM, with audio guides available in several languages. Visitors wanting to view the frescoes should plan time for a calm walk around, since the paintings cover the entire interior surface.
The crypt holds the remains of two infantas of Castile, moved here in 1869 from the demolished convent of Santo Domingo el Real. These burials link the building to the royal past of Madrid.
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