Church of San Nicolás de Bari de los Servitas

This church in Habsburg Madrid, declared a national monument in 1947 thanks to its 12th century Mudejar tower, is the city’s oldest building following the demolition of the medieval Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena Church, built on the former Aljama Mayrit Mosque. This is the reference parish church for the Italian community resident in Madrid.  

The main body of the church is the result of a 17th century refurbishment, when the side chapels, entrance, parochial rooms and the finish of the tower were built. The beautiful granite entrance door, with the image of Saint Nicholas, work of the sculptor, Luis Salvadoer Carmona, dates back to the beginning of the 18th century.

Juan de Herrera, the favourite architect of King Philip II, who designed the El Escorial palace-monastery and led its construction work, was buried in Saint Nicholas of the Servite Order.