Gazing at this chapel, can you imagine the story of faith and gratitude woven into its very stones? The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Paz, or the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace, stands as a testament to devotion. It is a unique landmark in Madrid.
This church wasn’t always known by its current name. Originally, it was built under the advocacy of the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús or Sacred Heart of Jesus. Adolfo Bayo and his wife Elisa Tapia funded its construction. Adolfo was a senator for Madrid and a banker. He was also involved in various business ventures.
But why would a successful man invest so heavily in a church? Adolfo Bayo had a deeply personal reason. After the death of his adoptive parents, he discovered he had been left at the Inclusa. This was a foundling home. Building the church was his way of expressing profound gratitude for his life. Both founders now rest in the temple’s crypt.
The church is located on Doctor Esquerdo street. It was designed in 1905 by Joaquín Kramer Arnaiz. It was created to serve the adjacent Asilo de San José and Colegio de la Paz. Architect Luis María Argentí designed the asylum two years prior.
The asylum connected directly to the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Paz. The sótano or basement level leads to the crypt. The ground floor gives access to the church’s interior. The main floor connects to the choir. Despite these connections, the church is architecturally and functionally independent. It serves the residents of what is now a home for the elderly. It also welcomes the general public. Interestingly, it has never been a parish church.
Back then, Doctor Esquerdo street marked the urban boundary of Madrid’s expansion. Across O’Donnell street stood the Real Colegio de Nuestra Señora de Loreto. The area has changed since then. Some buildings were demolished between 2002 and 2004. These buildings had been added to expand the original asylum. Some others have been repurposed.
The architectural style of the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Paz is neogothic. It reflects the historicism prevalent in Madrid at the beginning of the 20th century. María Luisa Meyer restored the facades in 1986. Raquel Flórez consolidated the church tower in 1995.
Look up at the octagonal tower. It is crowned with a cross. This tower defines the church’s distinctive image. Notice the neogothic decorative details. Admire the rosette window and the arches.
Inside, the church follows a Latin cross plan with three naves and a transept. The naves end in three polygonal apses. These apses are adorned with three altarpieces. The ribbed vaults and pointed arches are characteristically neogothic. The central nave features ribbed vaults and pointed arches. The choir, like a tribune, runs along the entire perimeter of the upper floor.
The main altarpiece showcases the image of Nuestra Señora de la Paz. Casa Jaume y Compañía created the interior decoration. This includes the altars, pulpits, confessionals, and the organ. The stained-glass windows are diverse. Some feature painted figures. One is signed by the workshop of La Vidriería Artística de Madrid. Others display geometric motifs. At the foot of the church, you’ll find the Cristo de la Paz. Outside, another image of Christ is rendered in Talavera ceramics.
In 2019, the process began to declare the old Asilo de San José, the Colegio and the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Paz as a Bien de Interés Patrimonial. This translates to an Asset of Patrimonial Interest. In October 2020, it was officially declared a BIP. It is now listed as a protected property. It represents the charitable and social architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Take a moment to appreciate the blend of gratitude, art, and history. Remember Adolfo Bayo’s act of devotion. It shaped this beautiful space. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Paz stands as a testament to enduring faith.