Crypt of La Almudena Cathedral

Below the Almudena Cathedral lies this beautiful Romanesque Revival church with a Latin-cross plan. It features over 400 columns, each crowned by a different capital adorned with biblical figures, nature scenes and even the symbol of Madrid, the bear and the strawberry tree.  

It has the same dimensions as the cathedral and is considered to be the largest crypt in the country. The entrance, which is located in front of the Arab Wall, is made up of three semi-circular arches. The resting place of some of Spain’s most noble families, and to King Alfonso XII's first wife María de las Mercedes de Orléans, the crypt has 20 chapels, each with its own beautiful stained-glass window, as well as a number of ornate artworks. Particularly noteworthy is the painting of Our Lady of the Lily, possibly the oldest image of the Virgin in the city.