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Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida facts for kids

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Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida
Native name
Spanish: Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida
San Antonio de la Florida.jpg
Location Madrid, Spain
Governing body City Council of Madrid
Owner Patrimonio Nacional
Official name: Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida
Type Non-movable
Criteria Monument
Designated 1905
Reference no. RI-51-0000088
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The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida (in Spanish: Real Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida) is a beautiful old chapel in the center of Madrid, Spain. It was built in a style called Neoclassical, which means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings.

This chapel is very famous for the amazing paintings on its ceiling and dome. These paintings were created by a well-known Spanish artist named Francisco Goya. It is also the place where Goya was buried.

History of the Chapel

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes 041
Goya's fresco showing Saint Anthony bringing a dead man back to life

The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida stands where two older chapels once were. These earlier chapels were built in the 1730s on a farm called La Florida.

The current chapel was built between 1792 and 1798. King Carlos IV ordered its construction. He also asked the famous artist Goya and his helper, Asensio Juliá, to paint the beautiful pictures inside.

Becoming a National Monument

In 1905, the chapel was officially named a national monument. This means it is a very important historical building in Spain.

In 1919, Goya's remains were moved to this chapel. He had passed away in 1828 in a city called Bordeaux. A strange thing happened when his remains were moved: his skull was missing! Even so, the Spanish officials decided to bring Goya's body to the chapel.

In 1928, another chapel was built right next to the original one. This was done so the first chapel could become a museum. Goya's remains were then moved again to the new chapel.

A Special Tradition

Every year on June 13, the chapel becomes a lively place. Young women who are not yet married come here for a special pilgrimage. They pray to Saint Anthony and ask for help to find a partner.

Goya's Famous Frescoes

The stunning paintings inside the chapel are called frescoes. Goya finished these artworks in just six months during 1798.

The frescoes show amazing stories, or miracles, performed by Saint Anthony of Padua. On the main dome of the chapel, Goya painted Saint Anthony bringing a man back to life. This miracle helped to prove that the man's father was innocent of a murder he was wrongly accused of.

Instead of showing this event happening in the 1200s in Lisbon, Goya painted it as if it were happening in Madrid during his own time. This makes the scene feel more real and close to the people who see it.

See also

  • Catholic Church in Spain
  • List of oldest church buildings

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