Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha

This church is one of the six basilicas in Madrid, along with the Basilica of Jesus of Medinaceli, the Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, the Pontifical Basilica of San Miguel, the Hispano-American Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy, and the Basilica of the Miraculous Medal.

The Sanctuary of Atocha was elevated to a basilica on November 12, 1863, at the request of Queen Isabella II, a privilege granted by Pope Pius IX. The current building, inaugurated in 1951, forms a rectangle 52 meters wide by 34 meters deep, with a height of 13.25 meters in the central nave, where the stained-glass windows stand out. These windows, a modern interpretation of Romanesque style, depict the mysteries of the Rosary, based on a design by the painter Carlos Pascual de Lara. Later, the main altar and the Virgin's dressing room were completed. The Virgin of Atocha is the oldest patron saint of the city, with her veneration appearing as early as Visigothic times. Later, especially in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, she was considered a special protector of the kings of Spain and patron saint of the Spanish royalty. Currently, she is managed by Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage).