Pope John Paul II Statue in Front of Almudena Cathedral in Madrid

About the Picture

Right beside the Almudena Cathedral stands this striking statue of Pope John Paul II, arms wide open as if he’s welcoming everyone to the heart of the city.

I came to visit the Royal Palace and the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena about noon, on the day I arrived to Madrid. While exploring the busy landmark and enjoying beautiful architecture. I tried to enter from the main plaza, but the entrance there was not free.

However, when enter from the street side, you can enter the Almudena Cathedral, but also enjoy the statue of Pope John Paull II, so easy to miss while exploring the spacious landmarks where the Royal Palace and the Cathedral is located.

The Almudena Cathedral itself is a fascinating mix of architectural styles, thanks to its long construction period.

What started in the 19th century wasn’t fully completed until the late 20th century—yes, it’s that new in comparison to many other European cathedrals.

Inside, you will find vibrant stained-glass windows, contemporary artwork, and a surprisingly modern interior design. There’s also a crypt below that’s worth exploring if you’re into hidden gems (it’s quieter and has a more traditional feel). Above ground, the main cathedral space feels airy and bright, almost minimalistic yet grand at the same time.

In the 1993 the Cathedral was consecrated by the Pope John Paul II, and in 1998 the statue was built by sculptor Juan de Ávalos.

John Paul II with outstretched arms and the subtle expression on his face. It’s almost as if he’s telling every passerby, “Bienvenidos a Madrid!”

Certainly, I recommend planning at least an hour here—enough time to explore the interior, maybe climb up to the dome if it’s open for visitors, and as it’s located in the heart of the city, among the Royal Palace which is just side-by-side to the Cathedral, about 10 minutes away you will find wonderful Temple of Debod, I highly recommend visiting at sunset, from where you can see the scenic view of the Almudena Cathedral.

I bet, in Madrid you can spend several days exploring famous landmarks. If you have just about 2 days, like me, it felt as it’s perfectly enough to see main attractions, feel the city vibe and head to Segovia, a short-train ride away and I could not wait to see it’s famous Roman Aqueduct and Alcazar de Segovia castle.

It’s quite an easy task to fall in love with Spain, and when planning your itinerary you just can’t go wrong. Every city, every town you visit, offers something unique and I’m sure I will be back for more, exploring other sides of Spain.

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