| One thing Spain does better than many other | | | | set of seven hand carved, fantastic walnut doors |
| countries, is offer magnificent buildings to see, and | | | | that take guests inside the chapels. |
| learn about. One such building is the Basilica de San | | | | If you enter one of the three doors nearest the |
| Francisco El Grande, or church of San Francisco in | | | | circular portion of the building, you may find the San |
| Madrid. When it comes to the most important places | | | | Bernardino de Siena chapel. Look at the paintings on |
| to see in Madrid, this is right up there at the top of | | | | the wall here. One is a Goya painting of the saint, the |
| the list. To get an idea of how massive this building, | | | | other is a self-portrait from Goya. |
| the dome atop the church of San Francisco is larger | | | | While the church may not have been constructed |
| than that on St. Paul's Cathedral. It is architecturally | | | | until the middle of the 18th century, that does not |
| astounding. Inside the church are a number of | | | | mean everything inside is from the 18th century. On |
| sculptures and paintings that are a dream to view for | | | | the contrary, many of the items in the church are |
| art lovers. | | | | much, much older. Even the choir stalls are from the |
| Created with Neo-classical design, the church of San | | | | 16th century, gothic pieces from Segovia. |
| Francisco towers over a portion of old Madrid. The | | | | In addition to the Goya paintings in the San |
| dome roof is a massive portion of the | | | | Bernardino de Siena, there are other painted |
| three-sectioned building. And while it looks large from | | | | masterpieces by artists such as Maella, Cano, and |
| the outside, you cannot really understand the | | | | Zurbarán, not to mention beautiful sculptures |
| magnitude of it until you view the 108 foot open | | | | in marble by artists such as Benlliure and Bellver. |
| ceiling from the inside. The interior is a vision, | | | | While it may seem like the church is more of an art |
| decorated with highly-detailed stained glass windows | | | | sanctuary, with so many masterpieces inside, it is also |
| and frescoes. Considered one of the most beautiful | | | | a fully operational cathedral. While visitors are |
| cathedrals in all of Europe, it is a sight that leaves | | | | welcome, they will be accompanied by a guide and |
| many in awe. | | | | are asked to remain silent as a sign of respect as |
| When it comes to the history of the basilica, it was | | | | they pass through. |
| created under the reign of Carlos III in 1760. Even | | | | When you are planning your sightseeing tour |
| the grounds the church was built on had a religious | | | | schedule, the church of San Francisco is easy to get |
| history, having been a Franciscan convent in the past. | | | | to. It is located in the Plaza de San Francisco el |
| It is believed the original convent was founded by St. | | | | Grande, and can be accessed from the La Latina of |
| Francis of Assisi himself in 1217. The entryway is a | | | | Puerta del Toledo Metro stops. |