In a city blessed with exquisite religious landmarks, the Church of San Antonio de los Alemanes (Iglesia de San Antonino de los Alemanes) stands out as a true architectural and artistic gem. Austere and unassuming from the outside, a breathtaking exhibition of Baroque art awaits inside the Church of San Antonio de los Alemanes. Admire the work of notable Italian and Spanish painters, see thought-provoking tombs in the basement and attend Mass services.
King Philip III established the church in 1624 as a refuge for the Portuguese immigrants that passed through the city during the Spanish rule of Portugal. At this time it was called San Antonio de los Portugueses. The church sat unused for several years after Portugal gained independence. Mariana of Austria, Queen of Spain and wife of King Philip IV, gifted the church to German Catholics in 1668, at which time it took on its current name.
Well-preserved frescoes cover large parts of the church walls and dome. There are representations of the miracles of St. Anthony, portraits of great kings and depictions of allegorical figures. Statues, gilded pillars and stone carvings add opulence to altars and niches.
Respected artists of the era, such as Madrid-born Francisco Rizi and the Italian Luca Giordano, contributed to the decoration. Marvel at how the images of Rizi’s dome appear to exist in three dimensional forms. Look for a portrayal of St. Anthony ascending to the Virgin, a work by Carreño de Miranda. Eugenio Caxés and Vincenzo Carducci are among other painters involved.
Visit the small crypt, where a statue of St. Anthony of Padua dominates the altar. The tomb stones of children, some unnamed, are embedded into one of the walls.
The Church of San Antonio de los Alemanes is open Monday to Saturday from late morning until mid afternoon. There’s an admission fee, which includes a guidebook in English with information about the church’s history and frescoes. Located in Madrid’s Malasaña district, this attraction is about a 5-minute walk from the Gran Vía and Tribunal metro stations.
