Crypt of the Cathedral of Our Lady of La Almudena
The Crypt of the Cathedral of Our Lady of La Almudena is an underground Neo-Romanesque space with five long naves and approximately four hundred columns, each topped with different biblical scenes and nature carvings. Small chapels line the sides, lit by colored windows, while the layout follows a Latin cross shape mirroring the cathedral above but with a lower ceiling.
The crypt opened in 1911 as the first completed section of the cathedral complex, though the overall building took many more years to finish. Built in white Portuguese limestone, it now holds approximately one thousand tombs of important Madrid families across centuries.
The crypt is dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena, Madrid's patron saint, and remains an active place of prayer and remembrance for both locals and visitors. It serves as a gathering space where faith and family memory connect people to the spiritual roots of the city.
The crypt is free to enter and rarely crowded, allowing for a quiet visit without the busy atmosphere of the main cathedral above. Audioguides and guided tours are available to help you learn about the artworks and tombs throughout the space.
One of the oldest known images of the Virgin Mary in Madrid is a 13th-century fresco of the Virgin of the Fleur de Lis, rescued from a nearby older church. Among the four hundred columns, one stands out with Madrid's coat of arms carved into its capital—a bear and a strawberry tree.
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