The restoration of the roofs and façades of the Church of Las Calatravas—one of the most representative Baroque temples in Madrid—was conceived as a comprehensive intervention aimed at ensuring the structural stability, waterproofing, and formal recovery of the building, which is listed as a Site of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural). The pitched roofs, built with curved ceramic tiles over timber structures and finished with lead eaves, exhibited deformations, water infiltration, and deterioration due to lack of maintenance, threatening both the stability and interior conservation. The intervention involved the repair and reinforcement of the load-bearing structure, replacement of damaged elements, renewal of the waterproofing system, and improvement of ventilation. On the façades, restoration work was carried out on the brickwork, renderings, stone elements, cornices, and ironwork, through cleaning, consolidation, repointing with compatible mortars, and protective treatments against atmospheric agents.
The works were executed on Calle de Alcalá, one of Madrid’s busiest and most complex urban settings, which required precise planning and a phased execution strategy, avoiding disruption to the church’s liturgical activity and minimizing impact on pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Special care was taken in restoring the ornamental elements of the Baroque main portal and addressing humidity issues at plinths and junctions, ensuring compatibility between original and new materials. The restoration has successfully recovered the church’s historical appearance and reaffirmed its role as a landmark of Madrid’s historic centre, guaranteeing its long-term preservation and active integration into the city’s monumental urban landscape.
