San Isidro, Madrid
Dome of San Isidro Basilica. Photo
Tomás Fano.
Twin towers of the facade. Photo
Luis García.
Interior view, with the silver casket containing the relics of San Isidro on the high altar. Public domain.
Tomb of San Isidro. Public domain.
Location map and aerial view of San Isidro. For a larger interactive view, see our Madrid Map.
Built in the 17th century, the Basilica de San Isidro in Madrid is a Jesuit Baroque church containing the relics of Madrid's patron saint, San Isidro (d.1130), and his wife, Santa María de la Cabeza.
The Saints
Isidore the Laborer, also known as Isidore the Farmer (San Isidro Labrador) was a day laborer known for his goodness toward the poor and animals. He is the patron saint of farmers and of Madrid.
Isidore was born to very poor parents near Madrid around 1070. He was in the service of the wealthy Madrid landowner Juan de Vargas on a farm in the area, who later made Isidore bailiff of his entire estate of Lower Caramanca.
Every morning before going to work, Isidore heard Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. According to legend, one day his fellow-laborers complained to their master that Isidore was always late for work in the morning. When he investigated the claim, the master found Isidore at prayer while an angel was doing the ploughing for him. On another occasion, his master saw an angel ploughing on either side of him, so that Isidore's work was equal to that of three of his fellow-labourers. Isidore is also said to have brought back to life his master's deceased daughter, and to have caused a fountain of fresh water to burst from the dry earth in order to quench his master's thirst.
St Isidore married Maria Torribia, also a saint. She is known as Santa María de la Cabeza because her head (cabeza) is often carried in procession, especially during droughts. Isidore and Maria had one son, who died in his youth. On one occasion their son fell into a deep well and, at the prayers of his parents, the water of the well is said to have risen miraculously to the level of the ground, bringing the child with it, alive and well. Isidore and Maria then vowed continence and lived in separate houses.
Isidore died on May 15, 1130, at his birthplace close to Madrid. When King Philip III of Spain was cured of a deadly disease by touching the relics of the saint, the king replaced the old reliquary with a costly silver casket.
Isidore was canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, at the same time as Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri.
History
Designed by Pedro Sánchez after the Baroque style of Il Gesu (the principal church of the Jesuit order in Rome), the 17th-century San Isidro Basilica was the interim cathedral of Madrid from 1885 until the completion of Almudena Cathedral in 1993.
Festivals and Events
On Thursday of Holy Week, images of San Isidro and Santa Maria de la Cebeza are taken out in procession around the streets of the city.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | San Isidro; Colegiata de San Isidro |
| Location: | Madrid, Madrid, Spain |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Order: | Jesuit |
| Dedication: | St. Isidro |
| Category: | Churches |
| Architecture: | Baroque |
| Status: | active |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Calle Toledo 24, 28005 Madrid, Spain |
| Coordinates: | 40.413001° N, 3.707175° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Phone: | 91-369-20-37 |
| Public transport: | Metro: La Latina or Tirso de Molina Bus: 17, 18, 23, 35, or 60 |
| Opening hours: | Sep-Jul: Mon-Sat 7:30am-1pm and 6:30-8:30pm Aug: Mon-Sat 7:30am-8:30pm, Sun 7:15-8:30pm |
| Cost: | Free |
Travel Resources
- Madrid Map - our detailed interactive map of Madrid, plus hand-picked links to more
- Madrid Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Madrid Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Madrid
- Madrid Car Rentals - enjoy more travel freedom by picking up a car in Madrid
- Madrid Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Article Sources
- Basilica de San Isidro - Frommer's Madrid
- Isidore the Laborer - Wikipedia (some text incorporated under GFDL)
Last updated on July 17, 2009.
