St Sebastian's Church, Madrid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Sebastian Church |
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View from the south-west angle
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Centro |
| Region |  Community of Madrid |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Parish church |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Municipality | Madrid |
| State |  Spain |
| Architecture | |
| Groundbreaking | 1554 |
| Completed | 1693 |
| Designated as NHL | 1969 |
| Saint Sebastian Church | |
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| Native name Spanish: Iglesia de San Sebastián |
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| Location | Madrid, Spain |
| Official name: Iglesia de San Sebastián | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1969 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0003831 |
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The Saint Sebastian Church or Iglesia de San Sebastián is a historic church in central Madrid, Spain. It was first built in the 1500s. You can find it on Atocha street, at number 39. This church is a significant landmark in Madrid.
The church started as a small chapel in 1541. It was located on the way to the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha. The first architect, Antonio Sillero, began working on it around 1550. He also finished the Chapel of the Sagrado Corazón. For many years, this church, like San Luis, offered a safe place for people escaping official trouble.
Over time, more chapels and additions were built. Architects like Antonio de la Tijera, Juan de Bulga Valdelastras, and Juan de Obregón worked on it between 1595 and 1598. The church's tower was added in 1612 by Lucas Hernández.
During the Spanish Civil War, the church faced tough times. It was damaged by Republican forces and later almost destroyed by bombing in November 1936. Many of its artworks had to be moved to other places to keep them safe. For example, a statue of San Blas was moved to another convent. The church was rebuilt between 1943 and 1959 by Francisco Íñiguez Almech. In 1969, it was recognized as a "Bien de Interés Cultural" (a site of cultural interest).
Contents
Inside the Church: Special Chapels
The Saint Sebastian Church has several interesting chapels. These are smaller rooms or areas within the church, often built for specific purposes or families.
Chapel of Our Lady of Bethlehem
This chapel is also known as the "chapel of the architects." It was built in 1693, with Francisco Moreno leading the work. Later, in 1766-1768, it was updated by Ventura Rodríguez. Two famous architects, Ventura Rodríguez and Juan de Villanueva, are buried here. You can find this chapel to the right of the church entrance, protected by a glass gate.
Chapel of the Holy Heart
This chapel was designed by Antonio Sillero, one of the first architects who worked on the church.
Famous People Connected to the Church
The church's old records hold information about many important people from history. These records show who was baptized, had their funeral, or got married here.
Baptisms
Many well-known figures were baptized at Saint Sebastian Church, including:
- Ramón de la Cruz (1731)
- Leandro Fernández de Moratín (1760)
- José de Echegaray (1832)
- Jacinto Benavente (1866)
Funeral Services
The church has also been the site for funeral services of famous individuals, such as:
- Miguel de Cervantes (1616), a very famous writer
- Lope de Vega (1635), another important writer
- Juan Ruiz de Alarcón (1639)
- Ventura Rodríguez (1788)
- Juan de Villanueva (1811)
Weddings
Several notable people chose Saint Sebastian Church for their weddings:
The Old Cemetery
The church once had a cemetery where Huertas and San Sebastian streets meet. This cemetery is no longer there; a flower shop stands in its place today. The famous writer Lope de Vega was buried in this cemetery.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Sebastián (Madrid) para niños
- Catholic Church in Spain
- List of oldest church buildings
Images for kids
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Facade on Calle Atocha.
