Colegiata de San Isidro
Leaving the Plaza Mayor through the Arco de Cuchilleros we can already see the
Colegiata de San Isidro. It is in Calle de Toledo, 37.
The first Jesuit school was already built on this place in 1564 and had a church dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It was built in the XVII century by the Jesuits thanks to the money donated by the Empress Maria of Austria after her death.
The church was built following the model of the Gesu Church in Rome.The Colegiata is located where San Isidro and his wife, Santa Maria de la Cabeza lived. Here the saint dug a cave and a well. The water of this well was supposed to be very healthy and cure sick people.
After the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, the church became a collegiate dedicated to San Isidro, who is buried there with his wife.
In 1768 it was restored by the architect Ventura Rodriguez.
Inside the church is a sculpture of San Isidro and Santa Maria de la Cabeza made by Javier Tudanca, a sculpture of Madrid. On May 15th, these sculptures are taken in procession
through the streets of the city.
Under the altar are the cave and the well.
It was Carlos III who decided that the bodies of both saints should be buried in this Colegiata, as their home had been there.
In 1885 the collegiate became Madrid´s provisional cathedral until 1993, when the Almudena Cathedral was finished. Now it is once again a collegiate.
The church is the best representation of Madrilian baroque. In 1936 the church almost burnt down and so after the Spanish Civil War it had to be rebuilt.
When the church burnt down, Saint Isidro´s body was hidden in a wall and discovered later in 1939, which was considered another miracle.
Next to the church is a school, which also belonged to the Jesuits. Many of the most famous Spanish writers went to this
school. Inside is a wonderful patio. On the walls we can see an eagle with two heads, symbol of Carlos I, who was king and emperor at the same time.