Basílica pontificia de San Miguel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pontifical Basilica of St. Michael Basílica Pontificia de San Miguel
Façade of the basilica
Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Pontifical minor basilica
Leadership	Mons. Renzo Fratini
Location
Location	Madrid, Spain
Architecture
Architect(s)	Santiago Bonavía
Architectural type	Church
Architectural style	Baroque
Groundbreaking	1739
Completed	1745
Construction cost	1 421 000 reales
Specifications
Direction of façade	S
Length	50 metres (160 ft)
Width	27 metres (89 ft)
Width (nave)	14 metres (46 ft)
Website
www.bsmiguel.es

The Pontifical Basilica of St. Michael (in Spanish: Basílica Pontificia de San Miguel) is a beautiful Baroque Roman Catholic church. It is also a minor basilica in central Madrid, Spain. You can find it on San Justo Street, right next to the Archbishop's Palace. This church is very important because it serves as the church for the Apostolic Nunciature to the Kingdom of Spain, which represents the Holy See (the Pope's government). Today, priests from Opus Dei manage the basilica.

History of the Basilica

How the Church Was Built

Building the Basilica of St. Michael started in 1739. It was built on the same spot where an older church, dedicated to Saints Justus and Pastor, once stood. Cardinal Infante Luis of Chinchón, who was the Archbishop of Toledo, asked for the church to be built. He also helped pay for it, giving a large sum of 1,421,000 reales. The construction work finished in 1745.

Changing the Name

After the Napoleonic invasion of Spain, a nearby church called San Miguel de los Octoes was torn down. Because of this, the church added the name of Saint Michael (San Miguel) to its title.

Who Designed It?

The main ideas for the church's design are thought to come from Santiago Bonavía. Some people also believe that Teodoro Ardemans might have helped with earlier plans. The building was completed by Vigilio Rabaglio. On the front of the church, you can see statues that represent important ideas like charity, faith, hope, and strength. These were carved by Roberto Michel and Nicolás Caresana. There is also a special panel by Caresana on the facade that shows the story of Saints Justo and Pastor. Inside, the dome has amazing paintings from 1745 by Bartolomé Rusca, which show the saints rising to heaven.

Inside the Basilica

When you go inside the basilica, you will find many beautiful wooden sculptures. One famous sculpture is called "Cristo de la Fe y del Perdón" (Christ of Faith and Forgiveness). It was created by the artist Luis Salvador Carmona.

Famous Burials

The famous Italian composer Luigi Boccherini passed away in Madrid. He was buried in this basilica for many years. However, in 1927, Benito Mussolini arranged for his remains to be moved back to Italy. Boccherini was then reburied in the Church of San Francesco in his hometown of Lucca.

Gallery

• 

  Interior of the basilica.

• 

  Towers above Archbishop's Palace.

See also

In Spanish: Basílica pontificia de San Miguel para niños

• Catholic Church in Spain
• List of oldest church buildings
• Opus Dei