Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha
The Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha is a prominent church located in central Madrid, Spain, and is administered by the Dominican order. Its history is tied to a lost icon found among tall grasses, giving it its name, and it has undergone significant reconstruction after destruction during the Spanish Civil War.
Key Facts
- ›The basilica is located on Avenida de la Ciudad de Barcelona in Madrid.
- ›It is administered by the Dominican order.
- ›The original name derives from a lost icon found in a chapel among tall grasses ('tocha').
- ›The Dominican order was granted the site in 1523 by Pope Adrian VI.
- ›The old church was rebuilt in the 1890s in a Neo-Byzantine style.
- ›The church was destroyed in 1936 during the Spanish CIVIL War and reconstructed by 1951.
Neo-Byzantine
Our Lady of Atocha
Dominican Order
Fernando ArbóS Y Tremanti
About Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha
The Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha, known in Spanish as Real Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Atocha, is a significant church situated in the heart of Madrid, Spain. It is administered by the Dominican order and stands as one of the six basilica churches within the city.
History and Reconstruction
The history of the site is marked by its association with a revered icon. The name "Atocha" is believed to derive from a lost icon of the Virgin Mary that was discovered in a chapel amongst tall grasses, known in old Spanish as "tocha," during the era of the Reconquista. In 1523, Pope Adrian VI granted the site to the Dominican order. The original church on the location eventually fell into disrepair and was subsequently rebuilt in the 1890s, guided by the architectural designs of Fernando Arbós y Tremanti in a Neo-Byzantine style. This rebuilt structure faced destruction on July 20, 1936, during the tumultuous Spanish Civil War. Following the conflict, reconstruction efforts were undertaken, and the basilica was completed once more in 1951.
Adjacent and Historical Context
Adjacent to the Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha is the Pantheon of Illustrious Men (Panteón de Hombres Ilustres) of Madrid. While this adjacent pantheon primarily holds the remains of José Canalejas, a former president of the council of ministers, it also features a collection of notable monuments from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the name 'Our Lady of Atocha'?
The name 'Atocha' originates from a lost icon of the Virgin Mary. Tradition states the icon was found in a chapel among high grasses, referred to as 'tocha', during the Reconquista period.
When was the Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha rebuilt?
The old church was rebuilt in the 1890s in a Neo-Byzantine style. However, the church was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and its reconstruction was completed in 1951.
What religious order runs the Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha?
The Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha is run by the Dominican order.
What historical events affected the basilica?
The church was destroyed on July 20, 1936, during the Spanish Civil War. Its reconstruction was completed in 1951.
Is the basilica one of the oldest in Madrid?
While buildings on the site have a long history, the current structure of the Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha is a reconstruction completed in 1951, with an earlier rebuilding in the 1890s. It is listed as one of six basilica churches in Madrid.
Related Basilicas
Ex-Cathedral Basilica of St Isidore
The Ex-Cathedral Basilica of St Isidore, also known as the Colegiata, is a Baroque Catholic church located in Madrid, Spain. It is significant for housing the relics of Saint Isidore, the patron saint of Madrid, and his wife, Saint Mary of the Head. The church has held the status of a minor basilica for centuries and played a role as Madrid's pro-cathedral before the completion of Almudena Cathedral.
Pontifical Basilica of St Michael
The Pontifical Basilica of Saint Michael is a Baroque Catholic church and minor basilica located in Madrid, Spain. It serves as the church of the Apostolic Nunciature to the Kingdom of Spain and is administered by priests of Opus Dei. Pope Pius XI elevated the shrine to the status of a minor basilica in 1930.
Royal Basilica of St Francis the Great
The Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great is a prominent Roman Catholic basilica located in central Madrid, Spain, within the Palacio neighborhood. It forms part of a Franciscan convent and is renowned for its significant Neoclassic architecture, particularly its dome which is among the largest in Europe, and its collection of Spanish art. The basilica has a rich history, having served as a National Pantheon and housing the remains of notable figures.