We already visited with 365 days in Madrid the remains of the arabic wallsAlong with those walls of Islamic origin, the tower of San Nicolás is the oldest construction that has been preserved in Madrid. An authentic gem classified as Asset of Cultural Interest in 1978. But as on so many other occasions, its history has been full of difficulties, it was even threatened with demolition.

Currently, the 12th century is generally accepted as the date of its construction. It must have been carried out by Mudejar builders at a time when Madrid was already Christian after the fall of Toledo. In any case, it is very likely that a mosque was previously built on the same site.

It is located outside the first Muslim enclosure, but inside the medinilla, the second Islamic enclosure, where an intricate urban fabric of alleys so typical of Arab cities developed here. The alleys disappeared in the 19th century when the Convent of Constantinople was demolished, the streets of Juan de Herrera and Calderón de la Barca were opened.

St. Nicholas is one of the ten parishes mentioned in the Fuero de Madrid of 1202, the oldest Christian churches, those that divided 1806th century Madrid into ten neighborhoods. In 1825 it threatened ruin and the parish was suppressed. The building was dismantled and without altars, being used as a warehouse for military effects. During the French occupation of Madrid, troops occupied its interior. In XNUMX, reigning Ferdinand VII The Servites took charge of it and recovered the cult and decoration. For this reason the church is known as St. Nicholas of the Servites, which was previously St. Nicholas of Bari (after the Italian port city of Bari where the remains of St. Nicholas who had been Bishop in Myra, Turkey in the 4th century) were transferred. . Legend has it that Saint Nicholas is the origin of the gifts of Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus in several European countries and that it is also becoming established in Spain.

It is known as the church of the Italians (the Italian Institute of Culture is just a few meters away) and it is common that when there is a large group of Italians, who request it, the mass is said in Italian.

The Mudejar tower (although there are still many opinions that classify it as an old mosque haystack) It is made up of three cubic bodies, each of which has 12 arches, of a different design in each section. The first section can only be seen from inside the church, and is decorated by three-lobed blind arches. The second features five-lobed arches separated by fine marble columns and the last features simple horseshoe arches supported by columns.

He was buried in San Nicolás de los Servitas Juan de Herrera, the king's architect Felipe II, author of Mmonastery of El Escorial. Herrera's remains were later transferred to his homeland in Santander.

Very central, but at the same time away from the hustle and bustle, it is a highly recommended visit. Plaza de San Nicolás, 6. Don't miss it.

A abrazo.