It is located on Calle de Alcalá, 83, in front of the Parque del Retiro and was built between 1902 and 1910. Work of the architect Fernando Arbós and Tremanti dedicated to residence and church for the Augustinian Fathers. The Catalan businessman Manuel Caviggioli and his wife Benita Maurici were the patrons of the work and also donated the land where it is located. They wanted a temple-pantheon that would serve as their burial place. Of Italian origin but born in Barcelona, ​​they both died before seeing the work completed, but they achieved their wish. The church takes its dedication from their names. It is undoubtedly the best example of neo-Byzantine architecture in Madrid, along with the Pantheon of Illustrious Men, of course, also made by Arbós.

La Church of San Manuel and San Benito It has a central plan of a Greek cross, a large dome on pendentives where the four evangelists are symbolically represented. Inside, a side chapel “of the Epistle” stands out, with a white marble altar in the center and the two tombs of the Catalan couple on the sides, the Augustinian fathers fulfilled the last will of Doña Benita. On the façade, the tower stands out, erected like an Italian bell tower.

In the last third of the 20th century, the architect José Antonio Arenillas, was in charge of restoring the temple. Another restoration a few years ago has made it regain all its splendor.

In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful churches in Madrid, and located in a fantastic place next to Retiro Park.

A abrazo.