The building of Madrid`s cathedral took over 100 years. Begun in 1879, its slow construction was stopped completely during the Civil War, and it wasn`t finished until 1993, after which it was consecrated by Pope John Paul 11. Before then Madrid did not have a cathedral. Situated near the Palacio Real, this religious building has a grey and white facade, and inside is a high ceiling of panels painted with Moorish designs in brown, red and green. There is some abstract stained glass. In the crypt is a 16th Century image of the Virgen de la Alumenda.