Madrid today is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, a meeting point where history, art, and spirituality intertwine to form a unique cultural fabric. As the capital of Spain, Madrid welcomes visitors from all over the world with its hospitality and impressive cultural offerings. Every corner of this ancient city holds traces of a past rich in traditions, historical events, and artistic expressions that continue to influence its present.
The city is a true open-air museum, with its emblematic squares, such as Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, and its historical monuments, such as the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. However, beyond these iconic spaces, Madrid also conceals lesser-known but equally fascinating treasures: churches, convents, and other buildings that bear witness to the city’s deep spiritual roots and its relationship with various religious orders.
Among these orders are the Augustinian Recollects, whose influence has left an indelible mark on Madrid’s cultural and spiritual landscape. Throughout the centuries, the Augustinian Recollects have contributed significantly to the development of religious and cultural life, with works that reflect their dedication and legacy.
Through this itinerary, we invite you to explore the most prominent places that highlight the presence and impact of the Augustinian Recollects in the city. From majestic temples to spaces for spiritual encounter, each stop on this tour offers a unique experience that combines the magnetism of history with the beauty of architecture and the splendor of sacred art. We encourage you to embark on this meaningful journey and discover how the Augustinian Recollects have shaped, and continue to shape, the soul of Madrid.
Convent and Church of Nuestra Señora de Copacabana
We begin our route at the former Convent and Church of Nuestra Señora de Copacabana, founded in 1596 thanks to the assistance of Doña Eufrasia de Guzmán, Princess of Ásculi. This site, whose principal architect was Friar Lorenzo de San Nicolás, stands as a testament to the Augustinian Recollects’ dedication to Madrid’s spiritual and cultural development.
Although the original convent is not entirely preserved, some elements of its architecture have survived. For example, the inner courtyard of the current BBVA building at Recoletos Street number 10 retains original columns and frequently hosts art exhibitions. Take the opportunity to stroll through the Jardines del Descubrimiento and Paseo de Recoletos, part of the former nearly five-hectare estate. The area is steeped in the history of Madrid’s promenades and its tradition as a cultural meeting point.
Parish of San José
On Alcalá Street, we find the Parish of San José, another important point on our route. Inside, you will find the Cristo del Desamparo, a splendid Baroque carving created by Alonso de Mena in 1630. This image, transferred here from the Church of Nuestra Señora de Copacabana after the disentailment of 1835, is especially venerated on Good Friday, when the sermon of the Seven Last Words is broadcast on the radio.
In addition to admiring this work, pause to observe the altar of the Guardian Angel of Spain and the commemorative plaque of Simón Bolívar’s marriage, hero of American independence. This temple is not only a place of worship but also a reflection of the artistic and spiritual values that the Augustinian Recollects promoted in their time.
Church of Las Calatravas
Continuing along Alcalá Street, the Church of Las Calatravas invites you to admire its impressive half-orange dome and its architectural design, a work by Friar Lorenzo de San Nicolás. This temple is a sublime example of Madrid’s classical Baroque and a perfect place to reflect on the city’s spiritual and artistic richness.
Inside, every architectural detail reflects the Augustinian Recollects’ dedication to creating spaces for contemplation and devotion. Its historical surroundings also offer an opportunity to explore more of Madrid’s history and its evolution as a cultural and spiritual center.
Royal Monastery of La Encarnación
In Plaza de Isabel II, near the Royal Theatre, stands the Royal Monastery of La Encarnación, founded in 1611 by Queen Margaret of Austria. This monastery was intended to consolidate the presence of the Augustinian Recollect Nuns in Madrid. Its interior houses priceless artistic pieces, such as the reliquary, the choir, and the upper and lower cloisters.
We recommend taking the guided tour of the monastery museum, where you can explore the Hall of Kings, the sculptures, and the impressive Herrerian-style architectural complex. Every corner tells a story about the devotion and support that monarchs provided to this religious order, reflecting the interaction between power and spirituality at the time.
Royal Monastery of Santa Isabel
The Royal Monastery of Santa Isabel constitutes one of the most significant testimonies to the presence of the Augustinian Recollect Nuns in Madrid. Founded in 1589 by Saint Alonso de Orozco, an Augustinian religious and a key figure in the spiritual renewal of the Golden Age, this convent marked the beginning of female 
recollection in the city. The architectural complex, reformed in the 17th century, features characteristic traits of early Madrid Baroque, with a church of sober and elegant lines attributed to Juan Gómez de Mora, one of the court’s most prominent architects.
Inside, the main altarpiece and various decorative elements stand out, reflecting the artistic language of the Counter-Reformation, where beauty serves faith. Since then, the community has faithfully lived the Augustinian charism, centered on interiority, fraternal life, and the search for God in the silence of enclosure. Throughout the centuries, the nuns have maintained a discreet but constant contemplative life, making this place a true spiritual lung in the heart of Madrid.
The monastery also acquires special significance due to the presence of Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, who served there as chaplain a few years before the Spanish Civil War. It was a decisive stage in his life and in the birth of Opus Dei, marked by the difficulties of the Second Republic and the Civil War. In that context, Santa Isabel was for him a place of intense priestly life. There, he matured many of the spiritual intuitions he would later transmit, in an atmosphere of prayer and sacrifice shared with the Augustinian Recollect community. Therefore, the monastery not only preserves the memory of his passage but also becomes a point of reference for understanding a key stage of his spiritual journey.
Palacio de Oriente and Surroundings
We conclude our route in the vicinity of the Palacio de Oriente, where the Augustinian Recollects also left their mark, both through their spiritual and architectural contributions. From here, you can explore the San Isidro neighborhood, La Almudena Cathedral, and other historical sites that evoke Madrid’s earliest settlements.
This area also invites you to stroll through the Sabatini Gardens and the Plaza de Oriente, surrounded by 44 statues of Visigothic and medieval kings that narrate Spain’s dynastic history. The views towards Casa de Campo, with its serenity and natural beauty, contrast with the architectural majesty of the Royal Palace, creating a complete experience of history and nature.
Parish of Santa Rita
The Parish of Santa Rita, located in Madrid’s Argüelles neighborhood, boasts a rich history that began in 1952, when the Province of San Nicolás de Tolentino acquired a strategic plot of 2,260 square meters at the intersection of Gaztambide Street and Cea Bermúdez Avenue. Initially, in 1954, a religious community dedicated to study and spirituality was founded.
The temple was inaugurated on October 17, 1959, notable for its imposing structure. In 1965, the community evolved with the official establishment of the Santa Rita Parish and the arrival of its first parish priest, Fr. Jesús Álvarez Maestro. In recent years, the parish has continued to grow and modernize, with events such as the blessing of a new organ in 2020, which enhances the liturgical experience, and the remodeling of the San Nicolás crypt in 2022, including the inauguration of a columbarium in 2023, offering the faithful a dignified space to honor their deceased. Part of the building houses the Augustinus-Nebrija University Residence.
Parish of Santa Mónica
The Parish of Santa Mónica, located on Calle Príncipe de Vergara, in the heart of the Salamanca neighborhood, is a prominent temple designed by architect Francisco Moreno. Its construction took place between 1959 and 1963, and it was erected as a parish in 1965 by the Archbishop of Madrid, Mons. Casimiro Morcillo. Its first parish priest was Fr. Gerardo Buldaín. Inside, the Christ sculpted by Ramón Lapayese stands out, as does the image of Saint Monica, a work by Antonio Torres.
The decoration includes frescoes on the dome and vault, created by Pedro Martínez, which narrate the life of Saint Monica and Saint Augustine. The stained glass windows and various works, such as the paintings of La Consolación and the Martyrs of Motril by Antonio Molina Torres, reflect Augustinian spirituality. Likewise, the figures of Saint Augustine, Saint Rita, and Saint Ezequiel Moreno complete this rich gallery dedicated to the Augustinian Recollect tradition.
Other More Recent Presences
In recent decades, the Augustinian Recollect presence in Madrid has continued to grow. In the Barrio de la Estrella area, you will find the Colegio Agustiniano and the Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación. On Paseo de la Habana is the headquarters of the Province of San Nicolás de Tolentino; near Alcalá Street, at the Torres Arias Metro stop, is the Formation House of the Province of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, and in Las Rozas, that of the Province of San Nicolás de Tolentino.
In the Barajas area, you will find the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Loreto and the headquarters of the Vicariate of Spain of the Province of Santo Tomás de Villanueva. Very close to the Atlético de Madrid Metropolitano stadium is the Parish of Santa Florentina. Finally, at the confluence of Huesca and Julián Besteiro streets is the San José Community, the Spanish headquarters of the General Curia, which houses the offices of ARCORES Internacional and the Order’s Communication Office.
An Experience That Transcends Time
This journey through history, both past and recent, clearly demonstrates how Madrid has had and continues to have a significant Augustinian Recollect presence, with a rich cultural and spiritual experience, both old and new. Each place invites you to immerse yourself in history, admire art, and connect with a living legacy. From ancient convents and surviving architectural treasures to more modern presences, Madrid becomes a living testament to the legacy of the Augustinian Recollects.
