Cathedral of San Isidro

The Cathedral of San Isidro, located in the heart of the La Latina neighborhood in Madrid, is an imposing example of Baroque architecture that has played a fundamental role in the religious history of the city. Built between 1620 and 1664, the cathedral is dedicated to San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of Madrid, and his wife, Santa María de la Cabeza, whose remains are preserved inside. The original building was designed by architect Pedro Sánchez, following the model of the Church of the Gesù in Rome, the mother church of the Jesuit order. In fact, the complex was originally part of the Imperial College of the Jesuits, an important educational center attended by many of the great figures of the Spanish Golden Age. However, in 1767, with the expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain by Charles III, the church was transformed into a collegiate church and, subsequently, in 1885, it became the provisional cathedral of Madrid, a role it maintained until the consecration of the Almudena Cathedral in 1993. The facade of the cathedral, completed by Francisco Bautista in 1664, features typical elements of Spanish Baroque with Corinthian columns and pillars, and statues of San Isidro and Santa María de la Cabeza, originally sculpted by Juan Pascual de Mena and later reconstructed after the fire of 1936. This fire, which occurred during the Spanish Civil War, caused the collapse of the dome and the destruction of many works of art, including the main altarpiece designed by Ventura Rodríguez. Fortunately, the body of San Isidro was saved from the flames, hidden by the faithful, and the church’s restoration, begun after the war, sought to faithfully restore the original elements, culminating in the 1960s with the reconstruction of the towers of the facade. The interior of the cathedral is rich in Baroque decorations. The current main altarpiece, a replica of the original, is a masterpiece of 17th-century Madrid silverwork, beneath which lie the remains of San Isidro and his wife. The cathedral also has a series of interconnected side chapels, each with its own artistic and historical peculiarities. Of particular interest is the chapel of the Virgen del Carmen, whose restoration was funded by the British embassy, as evidenced by the United Kingdom coat of arms above the altar. The structure of the church follows a Latin cross plan, with a central nave flanked by side chapels. The dome above the transept, although not decorated with frescoes, impresses with its structure and size. The cathedral complex, including its numerous ornaments and architectural details, represents one of the finest examples of Madrid Baroque.