Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande
Neoclassical basilica in La Latina with one of the largest domes in Christendom and a museum with works by Goya and Zurbarán, visitable with a guide.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The basilica stands on the site of a former Franciscan convent. In 1760 the Franciscans demolished it, and work on the new church followed the design of the friar Francisco Cabezas, drawn up by José de Hermosilla. The dome was completed by Antonio Plo in 1770; in 1776 the royal architect Francesco Sabatini joined, author of the main façade and the two towers, and the building was finished in 1784.
After the disentailment of 1836 the Franciscans were expelled, and the church was used as a barracks and, briefly, as a national pantheon. A major reform and decoration took place between 1879 and 1889. The Franciscans returned in 1926; in 1962 it became a minor basilica and in 1980 it was declared a national monument.
The dome has an internal diameter of about 33 metres and an external height of about 58 metres. In the chapel of San Bernardino hangs Goya's painting of Saint Bernardino of Siena preaching (1784), and the museum houses some 51 paintings, many on deposit from the Museo del Prado, with works by Zurbarán, Ribalta, Carducho, Alonso Cano and Luis Tristán.
Highlights
- Dome with an internal diameter of about 33 m
- Goya painting in the chapel of San Bernardino
- Picture gallery with works by Zurbarán, Ribalta and Alonso Cano
- Bayeu's canvas “Porciúncula” in the choir
- Façade and towers by Francesco Sabatini
Permanent exhibition
- Museo y pinacoteca de la basílica – Guided tour of the church, chapels and picture gallery, with paintings by Goya, Zurbarán and other masters from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
- Founded
- 1761
- Operated by
- Obra Pía de los Santos Lugares de Jerusalén
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Minors, pensioners and groups. |
| Children & teens | €3.50Reduced rate for minors. |
| Seniors | €3.50Reduced rate for pensioners. |
| Groups | €3.50 per personReduced rate for groups; groups must arrange the visit by phone (+34 915 759 966). |
Free admission: Free admission on Thursdays.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
La Latina
Metro: La Latina and Puerta de Toledo (line 5). Buses: 3, 60, 148, C1, C2, M3, NC1, NC2 and N16. BiciMAD: Calle de Calatrava, 38; Plaza de los Carros; Gran Vía de San Francisco, 6.
The entrance to the museum is at Calle de San Buenaventura, 1.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | From Tuesday to Friday there are guided tours of the church and museum within opening hours; groups book by phone. Access to the museum is via Calle de San Buenaventura, 1. |
