St. Isidro Collegiate Church

It was built by María de Austria, Empress of Austria. It is the most monumental church of Baroque style in Madrid. It is the old imperial school of the Society of Jesus. Its architecture follows the model of the Church of the Gesú in Rome, the Jesuit churches´ prototype. It only has one nave with Latin cross floor, transept and side chapels. Outside, we should highlight its monumental façade, built with granite and composed by a central body with four Corinthian columns flanked by two pilasters of the same order on each side.

It was renovated by Venture Rodríguez in 1768. In 1936, as a result of the Spanish Civil War, the church was totally destroyed although St Isidro´ s remains survived after being hidden behind a wall.

It was considered as the Madrid Cathedral until the Almudena Cathedral was built. Several relevant social events took place in St. Isidro Collegiate Church during that time.

Interesting links

   Photos of the St. Isidro Collegiate Church