San Jeronimo el Real Church in Madrid built in a Gothic style.
San Jeronimo el Real Church, situated behind the Prado Museum in Madrid and stands majestically on the hill. It keeps a watchful eye on the Museum. The architecture is intriguing with a lot of detail and built in a Gothic style. The San Jeronimo el Real Church is a Roman Catholic Church and dates back to the early 16th century. It is also known as Los Jerónimos.
Like many historical buildings, this church has undergone numerous remodelings and restorations over the centuries. This church is of great historical importance because it is all that remains of one of the most important 16th-century monasteries in Madrid.
History of the San Jeronimo el Real Church.
As I mentioned before, it is a remaining structure of the Hieronymite monastery, that once stood beside the royal palace of Buen Retiro. Interestingly, a portion now serves as the Prado Museum.
At the end of the 15th century, the San Jeronimo Church was built under orders of the Catholic Monarchs. The Church was built on the outskirts of the city and served mainly as a place of retreat and repose.
For centuries it served as the Church for the Royal family, in particular, the Price of Asturias. Did you know that mass was held here to celebrate the investiture of King Juan Carlos I?
Sadly, almost left in ruins after the War of Independence with Napoleon and his army, with a lot of damage done to the church. It wasn’t until the 19th century when Neogothic reforms were carried out. Inside the church are several valuable works of art including Juan Pascual de Mena and Benlliure.
Later renovations and agreements with the government.
In 1906 when King Alfonso XIII married, they constructed the stairway that faces the street. They did this to provide a more impressive access to the Church. The Baroque cloister, designed by Fray Lorenzo de San Nicolas, remained in disrepair for many decades. An agreement reached in 2007 between the church and government allowed for the appropriation of the land for the cloister by the Prado Museum.
They dismantled the inner courtyard facade and rebuilt it as a cubic room. Rafael Moneo designed it and it is now an expansion to the museum. Prado calls it the Cubo de Moneo, or Moneo’s cube.
Entrance fee and visiting hours of the San Jeronimo el Real church.
Entrance is free but it is important to remember the church is not open all day. We missed the hours and unfortunately could not go inside. We did walk around the church and took a lot of photos. While walking around we enjoyed and appreciated the splendor of beautiful and historical architecture. Don’t forget to pay the Goya Statue a visit. It is basically on the same premises, in front of the Prado Museum.
Weekdays: 10:00 – 13:00 and 17:30 to 20:00
Festivities de Precepts: 09:30 – 14:30 and 17:30 – 20:00.
Where to find the San Jeronimo el Real Church in Madrid?
Address: Calle Moreto, 4, 28014 Madrid, Spain (close to the Prado Museum).
