Church of Saint Jerome the Royal

The Church of Saint Jerome the Royal is a Gothic place of worship next to Retiro Park in Madrid and displays a stone facade with pointed arches, buttresses, and a central bell tower. The interior holds altars, chapels, and tall vaults that give the space a solemn character.

The Catholic Monarchs founded this place of worship in 1464, and it became a venue for royal proclamations and weddings. In the nineteenth century the adjoining monastery suffered damage, but the church remained and continues to serve as a parish.

The church takes its name from Saint Jerome, a fourth-century scholar, and served for centuries as the setting for royal ceremonies. Today Madrilenians gather here for worship and experience the Spanish tradition of religious devotion in a sacred space that has been in use for hundreds of years.

The church stands right next to the Prado Museum and is open to visitors during most daytime hours outside of services. A short walk from Retiro Park leads to the entrance, where you can view the architecture and interior at your own pace.

The former monastery cloister was incorporated into the Prado Museum extension in the twentieth century and now displays modern architecture. Visitors can experience the contrast between the Gothic church space and the contemporary museum design next door.

Location: Madrid

Inception: 1464

Founders: Catholic Monarchs

Architects: Hugo Vázquez Iglesias

Architectural style: Gothic architecture

Part of: monasterio de san Jerónimo el Real, Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences

Website: http://sanjeronimoelreal.es/San_Jeronimo_el_Real/Bienvenida.html

GPS coordinates: 40.41451,-3.69114

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26