Hermitage of the Virgin of the Port

This hermitage, declared a National Monument in 1945, is located near the Royal Palace of Madrid. It is a reconstruction of the original work designed by Pedro de Ribera and built between 1716 and 1718, one of the first examples of Baroque architecture in Spain. For centuries it was the destination of the Madrid pilgrimage to venerate the image of the Virgin of the Port inside, a custom that gave rise to the Melonera festival.

The Marquis of Vadillo, Corregidor of Madrid, commissioned Ribera to build it in 1716, next to the Manzanares River. Its most striking feature is the different treatment of the interior and exterior. Inside, it features a central space with a dome, four chapels, and four solid pillars that complete the octagon. The exterior presents a volume formed by flat surfaces. It houses the tomb of the Marquis of Vadillo, a work from 1729, also by Ribera. After the Civil War, it was completely destroyed, so the existing building is a reconstruction carried out in 1945, which, in turn, has been restored at later dates, removing the plaster from the facades and exposing the ashlar and brickwork, and restoring the towers to their characteristic slate roofs. Although the hermitage is usually closed except during worship services or when an event is being held (concerts, weddings, spiritual retreats, etc.), guided tours are available, only in Spanish, by prior arrangement via email at fmunozm@hotmail.com. The tour lasts between one and a half and two hours. Inside, visitors can learn about the architecture, surroundings, and history of the church, and inside they can access the Virgin's dressing room, where they can see objects from a small exhibition commemorating its 300th anniversary, which was in 2018.