Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great Church

Address: Plaza de San Francisco, 1, 28005 Madrid, Spain

The Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great (Basílica de San Francisco el Grande) is a large neoclassical basilica in central Madrid, notable for its expansive dome and classical interior. The present church dates largely from the late 18th century and holds the status of a royal basilica.

The basilica is visited for its vast domed interior, which is among the widest in Spain, and for its sequence of chapels and classical decorative schemes. Visitors commonly note the scale of the dome and the clarity of the interior space when viewing the altar and surrounding chapels.

The current basilica replaced earlier religious buildings on the site and was completed in its present neoclassical form in the late 18th century; it has served as a parish and a site for notable liturgical ceremonies under royal patronage. Over time the building has been conserved and continues to function as an active church.

Situated in the La Latina / Palacio area of central Madrid, the basilica is within walking distance of the Plaza Mayor and the Rastro market and is accessible from central Madrid transport links.

• Large dome: The church has one of Spain’s largest masonry domes, making the interior notably wide and open compared with many Madrid churches.

The basilica sits near the Palacio Real and the Plaza de la Villa in central Madrid. Use Ópera or La Latina metro stations, then walk through the older streets toward the San Francisco quarter.

• Drop into the basilica after the midday mass to hear the acoustics carry a choir through the domed nave.
• Look up at the dome's frescoes - they are broad, secular-in-scale murals that few notice at first glance.