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Per Thorsen | all galleries >> Galleries >> Buildings > Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande
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20-NOV-2005

Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande

In 1760, Carlos III built this impressive basilica on the site of a Franciscan convent, allegedly
founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1217. The dome, 108 feet in diameter, is the largest in Spain,
even larger than that of St. Paul's in London, where its 19 bells were cast in 1882. The seven main
doors were carved of American walnut by Casa Juan Guas. Three chapels adjoin the circular church,
the most famous being that of San Bernardino de Siena, which contains a Goya masterpiece depicting
a preaching San Bernardino. The figure standing on the right, not looking up, is a self-portrait of
Goya. The 16th-century Gothic choir stalls came from La Cartuja del Paular, in rural Segovia province.


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