Seminario Conciliar de la Inmaculada y San Dámaso, building in Spain
The Seminario Conciliar de la Inmaculada y San Dámaso is a large red brick building with white limestone details situated on a quiet street in Madrid. It has a rectangular form with corner towers and an entrance tower on the east facade, while its interior contains a Latin cross church decorated in Neo-Mudéjar and Gothic styles.
The seminary was established after Madrid became its own diocese in 1885, having previously been part of the archdiocese of Toledo. Architects Miguel de Olabarría and Ricardo García Guereta designed the building at Vistillas, which was inaugurated in 1906 and declared a protected monument in 1977.
The building is named after San Damaso, a pope of great significance to the local church, and serves as a focal point for clerical training in the city. Its presence in the neighborhood reflects how the institution shaped the spiritual life and formation of Madrid's religious community.
The building is located in the Vistillas area, a historic neighborhood with parks and other old buildings nearby, making it easy to explore the surroundings. Visitors can view the exterior and gardens, though access to the interior may be limited since it remains an active seminary.
The seminary gardens contain a sculpture honoring Enrique Osso, a respected catechist whom Pope John Paul II named as patron of catechists. This overlooked tribute shows how the institution recognizes important figures in religious education beyond priestly formation.
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