About Saint Isidore’s Collegiate Church in Madrid:
Saint Isidore’s Collegiate Church, known in Spanish as the Real Basílica Colegiata de San Isidro or simply La Colegiata, is a historic Baroque Catholic church located in central Madrid, Spain.
It is dedicated to Saint Isidore the Laborer (San Isidro Labrador), the patron saint of Madrid, and also houses the relics of both Saint Isidore and his wife, Santa María de la Cabeza.
About Saint Isisdore:
Saint Isidore the Laborer, known in Spanish as San Isidro Labrador, is a beloved Catholic saint and the patron saint of Madrid, Spain, as well as farmers and rural communities worldwide. Born around 1070 in Madrid (then part of the Taifa of Toledo under Muslim rule), Isidore lived a humble life as a farm laborer, working the fields for a wealthy landowner named Juan de Vargas.
Isidore’s life was marked by simplicity, piety, and a deep devotion to God despite his grueling work. He was known for his charity, often sharing what little he had with the poor, and for his love of prayer, reportedly rising early to attend Mass before his daily labor. Legends abound about his holiness: one famous story claims that angels plowed the fields for him while he prayed, ensuring his work was completed miraculously. Another tale recounts him striking the ground with his staff to create a spring to quench the thirst of his master, a miracle still commemorated in Madrid at the site of the Fuente de San Isidro.
He married María Torribia, later venerated as Santa María de la Cabeza (Saint Mary of the Head), not because of any decapitation but possibly due to a tradition of carrying her relics in procession. The couple had one son, who, according to tradition, was saved from a well by Isidore’s prayers, prompting them to live chastely thereafter as a testament to their faith. Isidore died around 1130 and was buried in a simple cemetery in Madrid. His reputation for sanctity grew posthumously, fueled by miracles attributed to his intercession. In 1212, after Madrid was reconquered by Christian forces, his body was discovered incorrupt, a sign of divine favor in medieval Christianity.
His feast day is celebrated on May 15 in the Catholic Church, though local traditions in Madrid often extend festivities around that date.
His relics were eventually moved to the Church of Saint Andrew and later, in 1769, here to the Collegiate Church of Saint Isidore (Real Basílica Colegiata de San Isidro), where they remain today in a sepulcher secured with nine locks, symbolizing their sacredness.
The current structure was built in the 17th century, with construction beginning in 1622 under the design of architect Pedro Sánchez. It replaced an earlier 16th-century parish church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, which was demolished to make way for the new building as part of the vision of Maria of Austria, Holy Roman Empress and consort of Maximilian II. She bequeathed her fortune to the Society of Jesus, who oversaw the project.
The church was initially dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier and consecrated in 1651, although construction continued until its completion in 1664 under architects Francisco Bautista and Melchor de Bueras.
In 1769, the church was re-dedicated to Saint Isidore when his relics were transferred from the Church of Saint Andrew, where they had been kept since the 16th century. This marked its transformation into a collegiate church, served by a community of canons.
The interior was later enhanced by architect Ventura Rodríguez, who designed an ornate high altar and chancel. From 1885 until 1993, it served as Madrid’s pro-cathedral while the Almudena Cathedral was under construction, after which it reverted to its collegiate status.
The church faced significant damage during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, when a fire caused the dome to collapse and destroyed many artworks, including the original high altar and paintings by Luca Giordano Ricci. Restoration efforts spanned two decades, with architects attempting to recreate its Baroque features, culminating in the 1960s with additions to the façade towers by Javier Barroso.
The church has held the status of a minor basilica for centuries, reflecting its significance in the religious and cultural life of the city.
Saint Isidore’s relics are kept in a sepulcher with nine locks, accessible only with the authorization of the King of Spain and the Archbishop of Madrid—a vault last opened in 1985. Its Baroque architecture and historical significance make it a notable landmark in the city.
Traveling to Saint Isidore’s Church in Madrid:
Address: C. de Toledo, 37, Centro, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: (+34) 91 369 20 37
Email: pquiabuenconsejoysanisidro@archimadrid.es
Click here for the official website of Saint Isidore’s Church in Madrid.