Museo de la Catedral de la Almudena
Cathedral museum in Madrid, opposite the Royal Palace: history of the diocese, the Virgen de la Almudena and San Isidro, liturgy and access to the dome.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The idea of creating a cathedral museum arose around 2000 within the Cabildo Catedral de Madrid (Cathedral Chapter), which wished to make the history and possessions of the institution known. To this end, the cataloguing of its holdings was begun, and the objects, which until then had been kept in the Colegiata de San Isidro, were moved to the new site. Much of the collection consists of vestments and goldsmith's work.
The museum is located inside the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena, directly opposite the Royal Palace. The visit begins in the Sala Capitular and the Sacristía Mayor, decorated with modern mosaics by the Centro Aletti, and continues with the origins and history of the Church of Madrid. Here the portraits of the twelve bishops who have governed the diocese since 1885 are displayed, along with those of King Alfonso XII and Queen María de las Mercedes, who drove the construction of the church.
Other rooms are devoted to the city's two patrons, the Virgen de la Almudena and San Isidro Labrador, with offerings and donations from the Real Esclavitud, and to the Codex of Juan Diácono, the oldest document on the life and miracles of San Isidro. A second gallery explains the liturgy through the seven sacraments and commemorates John Paul II, who consecrated the cathedral on 15 June 1993. The route includes going up to the dome, with views over the capital.
Highlights
- Climb to the dome for views over Madrid
- Sala Capitular and Sacristía Mayor with Centro Aletti mosaics
- Portraits of the bishops of Madrid since 1885
- Codex of Juan Diácono on San Isidro
- Offerings to the Virgen de la Almudena and the gallery of the sacraments
Permanent exhibitions
- Origen e historia de la Iglesia de Madrid – Portraits of the bishops and of the kings who promoted the cathedral, rooms dedicated to the patrons Virgen de la Almudena and San Isidro, and the Codex of Juan Diácono.
- La liturgia y los siete sacramentos – Second gallery with liturgical objects explaining the sacraments, and a commemoration of the consecration of the cathedral by John Paul II in 1993.
- Operated by
- Cabildo Catedral de Madrid
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5People aged 10 to 16, students from the EU up to age 25, EU citizens over 65, unemployed EU citizens, people with disabilities, groups with prior booking, and residents of the Ecclesiastical Province of Madrid, always with proof |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 8 · Ages 10 to 16: reduced rate with identity document or passport; under-9s free. |
| Seniors | €5EU citizens over 65, with identity document or passport. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5With proof of disability. |
| Students & apprentices | €5EU students up to age 25 with valid proof. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €5 per personGroup visit with prior booking, for 10 to 20 people, lasting about 70 minutes. |
| School rate (per pupil, booked by the school) | €4Educational visit for 10 to 20 pupils, about 70 minutes. |
| Catechism visit for parish groups (per person) | €4For 10 to 20 people, about 1 hour. |
Prices are published on the page “Museo y cúpula”. Free admission for accredited priests and members of religious orders, and for ICOM members with a valid card. The Betania visit for groups at risk of social exclusion is free. The ticket office is on the steps of the main façade, opposite the Royal Palace; paying by card is recommended.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum has lifts, ramps and platforms, which are made available to anyone who needs them.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 8 |
|---|
Children under 9 do not pay admission. The museum offers educational visits for schools at €4 per pupil.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ópera
Metro: Ópera station (lines 2 and 5, and the Ópera–Príncipe Pío branch). EMT buses: lines 3 and 148, with a stop at the junction of Calle de Bailén and Calle Mayor.
Access is via the steps of the cathedral's main façade, in Plaza de la Almudena, s/n.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
The museum's wifi network can be used to play the audio guide on your own phone. Souvenir shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 70 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (ES, EN, FR, IT) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photographs and videos are permitted only on the balconies and in the dome; they are not allowed inside the rooms. |
| Good to know | No booking is needed for a self-guided visit: tickets are bought at the ticket office. Guided visits are requested by email (reservasmuseo@catedraldelaalmudena.es). The audio guide is free and is used on your own phone by connecting to the museum's wifi network. You must keep your ticket for the whole visit. Eating, drinking, entering with sharp or pointed objects and bringing large suitcases are not permitted. On the first Wednesday of each month, when the changing of the guard takes place at the Royal Palace, you may not stay on the balcony for long. |
