San Isidoro Royal Collegiate Church

This collegiate church was founded in 1005 by Fernando I de Castilla, in order to become the burial place of San Isidoro de Sevilla.

It is crowned by a square tower. It has three naves, a prominent transept and a presbytery with three apses, (the central one was turned to the Gothic style at the end of the Middle Ages).

The main façade presents a triple arch, Renaissance cornice, Plateresque pilasters and an imperial coat of arms in its centre.

The door of entrance consists of paired columns by both sides. Two monumental doors are opened in the Southern side. The Puerta del Perdón (Door of Forgiveness) is decorated with a beautifully sculpted tympanum with scenes of the Descent from the cross, the Empty Sepulchre and the Ascension. The Puerta del Cordero (the Lamb´ s door) is even more beautiful than the other one, and is decorated with scenes of the Sacrifice of Isaac. It is accompanied by the sculptures of St Isidoro and St Vicente and a beautiful zodiac.

Later, the famous and splendid Panteón de Reyes (Royal tomb), the oldest conserved sepulchral monument, is built.

The Major chapel has a splendid star- shaped vault by Juan de Badajoz. St Isidoro´ s relics are located in the major altar, kept in a valuable silver box.

We should highlight St Catalina´ s chapel where there are Romanesque paintings, soft distempers that are the most notorious work of Byzantine style in Spain.