The church was built because it was the place where St. Francis of Assisi founded a convent during his stay in Madrid on his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and today it housesthe fourth largest dome in the world. It is the Royal Basilica of San Francisco El Grande, located in the heart of the La Latina neighborhood.
In December 2025, the temple closed its doors for restoration and conservation work , and yesterday, February 17, 2026, its reopeningwas announced . The monument is now back to normal, allowing Madrid residents and visitors to enjoy its architectural and mural treasures.
Sabatini and a large dome
Dome seen from the interior. | Editorial credit: Shutterstock
The project to build San Francisco El Grande began in 1761, although three churches had already been built before due to their connection with the saint. The new idea came from Friar Francisco Cabezas, who commissioned architect Ventura Rodríguez to design a circular church .
After several difficulties in the construction, Francisco Sabatini took over, with the help of Miguel Fernández, who completed the vault and the façade. The result is what we see today: a church with a circular floor plan surrounded by six chapels and covered by a huge dome 33 meters in diameter and 58 meters high.
This makes the dome the fourth largest in the world, behind only the Pantheon of Agrippa (43.4 meters in diameter), St. Peter’s in the Vatican (42.5 meters in diameter), and Santa Maria del Fiore (42 meters in diameter), all of which are in Italy.
Goya, Zurbarán, and other painters
Paintings by Goya inside. | Editorial credit: Wikimedia Commons
In 1980, the basilica was declared a national monument, highlighting its artistic and cultural value. Its great appeal lies not only in the dome, but also in the canvases, sculptures, and murals it houses inside.
You can see paintings by Goya, Zurbarán, Martínez Cubells, Alonso Cano, Lucas Jordán, Moreno Carbonero, and González Velázquez, among others. Also noteworthy are the white marble sculptures and the frescoes that adorn the various chapels.
Visit San Francisco El Grande
Facade of San Francisco El Grande. | Editorial credit: Madrid City Council
The basilica is located at Calle de San Buenaventura, 1, and following renovations in recent months, it has resumed its visiting hours. It has its own museum space and admission is free every Thursday.
On other days, from Tuesday to Saturday, it is open from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at a cost of €6 per person. For minors, pensioners, and groups, the entrance fee is reduced to €3.50.