Santa Bárbara, Madrid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Barbara |
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Main facade of the church
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Centro |
| Region |  Community of Madrid |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Parish church |
| Status | Church: active. |
| Location | |
| Municipality | Madrid |
| State |  Spain |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | François Carlier |
| Groundbreaking | 1750 |
| Completed | 1758 |
The Church of St Barbara, also known as the Church of the Salesas Reales Monastery, is a beautiful Catholic church. You can find it in the heart of Madrid, Spain. This church was built in a Neoclassic style, which means it looks a bit like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It's one of many churches in Spain named after St Barbara.
History of the Church
This church was built in 1757. It was part of the Convent of the Salesas Reales. This convent was home to nuns from the order of St. Francis de Sales. This religious group is also known as the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary.
The convent was started in 1748 by Queen Bárbara de Braganza. She was the wife of King Ferdinand VI of Spain. The church was designed by François Carlier and Francisco Moradillo.
In 1870, the monastery closed down. The government then used the building as the Palace of Justice. Today, it is the Supreme Court of Spain. In 1891, the church opened again for people to worship there.
What You Can See Inside
The outside of the church has statues of St. Francis de Sales and St Jeanne de Chantal. They were the people who started the religious order. Alfonso Giraldo Vergaz sculpted these statues.
Inside the church, you can find the burial tombs of King Ferdinand VI and his wife, Queen Bárbara. King Charles III of Spain asked for these tombs to be made. The architect Francisco Sabatini and the sculptor Francisco Gutiérrez finished them.
The church also holds the tomb of a famous general. His name was Leopoldo O´Donnell, and he was the first Duke of Tetuán. Jeronimo Suñol created his tomb.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de las Salesas Reales (Madrid) para niños
- Catholic Church in Spain
- List of oldest church buildings
