Iglesia de San Antón

Located in the district of Chueca, next to Madrid’s Official College of Architects, this baroque church is also known as the Royal Church of San Antón or the Royal Church of the Pious Schools of San Anton. It celebrates the popular festivity of San Antón, in which pet animals are blessed.

The building, built in the first half of the 18th century by architect Pedro de Ribera, was initially a leper hospital. In 1794, King Charles IV gave the church to the Piarist Fathers, who repaired the building facade to accommodate the Pious Schools. In the 19th century, it was renovated and took on its present-day neoclassical appearance. Inside is an exact copy of Goya’s painting "The Last Communion of St Joseph Calasanz", since this was the place where the work was kept until it was transferred to Madrid’s Calasancio Museum, along with the relics of St. Valentine. On the outside of the church we see the oldest clock in the city on one of its towers.

Managed since 2015 by Mensajeros de la Paz, the church has an extensive programme of social and religious activities, as well as services to help those most in need.