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 Santa Barbara Church, also known as the Church of the Monastery of the Salesas Reales, is a beautiful Catholic church in central Madrid, Spain. It was built in a style called Neoclassic. This church is one of many in Spain named after St Barbara.
A Look Back in Time
This church was built in 1757. It was originally part of the Convent of the Salesas Reales. This convent was home to nuns from the order of St. Francis de Sales. This order 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, which stood next to the convent, was designed by Francisco Carlier. He worked with Francisco Moradillo on the project.
In 1870, the monastery closed down. The government then used the building as the Palace of Justice. Today, it serves as the Supreme Court of Spain. In 1891, the church opened its doors for regular church services.
Exploring the Church
The outside of the church is special because of its statues. You can see statues of St. Francis de Sales and St Jeanne de Chantal. They were the founders of the order of nuns who lived here. These statues were made by a sculptor named Alfonso Giraldo Vergaz.
Inside the church, you will find the burial tombs of King Ferdinand VI and his wife, Queen Bárbara de Braganza. King Charles III of Spain asked for these tombs to be made. The architect Francisco Sabatini and the sculptor Francisco Gutiérrez completed them.
The church also holds the tomb of General Leopoldo O´Donnell. He was the first duke of Tetuán. This tomb was created by Jeronimo Suñol.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de las Salesas Reales (Madrid) para niños
- Catholic Church in Spain
- List of oldest church buildings
