pacman57

My wife and I will be spending a couple of days in Madrid this June. We'd like to attend Catholic Mass in a beautiful cathedral. We haven't picked a hotel yet, so our location isn't set.

Any suggestions on a favorite?

And if we had the choice of going to mass in Madrid or Toledo, which would you choose?

Thanks

pacman57

I forgot to mention that we will be there on a Sunday.

josele

I'd choose Toledo. According to their website, http://www.architoledo.org/cathedral/infogeneral.htm
timetable is:

b) días de precepto (Sundays):

Mañanas: 8,9:45 (conventual) 10,11, 12 y 13.

9'45 (en la Capilla Mozárabe misa en rito mozárabe)

Tardes: 17:30 y 18:30

Zerlina

Another vote for Toledo Cathedral. It is spectacular; nothing in Madrid compares.

pacman57

I apologize for the ignorance, but do you know if they celebrate the mass in Latin or Spanish?

Alec

The 9.45 am Mass is in the ancient Mozarabic rite, which differs significantly from the Roman rite. A liturgy developed during the long period of Muslim rule between 7th and 11th century, it has official status within the Iberian church equal to that of the Roman rite. There are a lot more ceremonials, such as ninefold fraction of the Host, and a lot of responsories between the celebrant and congregation, including during the Eucharistic Prayer.
Alas there is ony limited following of the rite in Spain today, and only a small congregation gathers for the Sunday celebration - hence in a small side chapel at a time when the conventual Mass is held in the main body of the church.

Maribel

pacman27,
For the magnificence of your surroundings, mass in Toledo's Gothic cathedral wins hands down. Just note that on Sundays you won't be able to do the "tourist visit", meaning entrance to the Treasury, Chapter House, Sacristy and Choir until 2 pm. On Sundays the cathedral is open to tourists for the complete visit from 2-6:30 pm. Those who just want to attend morning mass enter through a different door from the one across from the museum shop, where one buys the entrance ticket and can rent the audio guide.

Alec

All Masses are in Spanish at Toledo cathedral.