Church of las Calatravas, Baroque church in Cortes district, Madrid, Spain.
The Church of las Calatravas is a Baroque structure in Madrid's Cortes district with a red terracotta façade inspired by Milanese Renaissance design. An octagonal tower supports a large dome with eight windows, four of which remain sealed.
Fray Lorenzo de San Nicolas designed the church in 1670 as part of a larger convent complex. The building survived when the convent was demolished in 1868.
The name refers to the Calatrava military order, whose cross appears in a central rose window on the façade. The interior decoration shows how this order was honored in Baroque Madrid.
The church is easily reached on foot and sits centrally in the Cortes district, where many other sights are nearby. Opening hours vary between weekdays and weekends, so it helps to check specific times before your visit.
Inside stands a grand altarpiece created by Jose Benito de Churriguera between 1720 and 1724, featuring sculptures by Pablo Gonzalez Velazquez. This artwork shows the craftsmanship of Spanish Baroque artisans.
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