Ex-Cathedral Basilica of St Isidore

The Ex-Cathedral Basilica of St Isidore, commonly referred to as the Colegiata, is a significant Baroque Catholic church situated in the heart of Madrid, Spain. It holds a prominent place in the city's religious and historical landscape, primarily due to its dedication to and preservation of the relics of Saint Isidore, the esteemed patron saint of Madrid, and his wife, Saint Mary of the Head.

History and Construction

The current edifice replaced a 16th-century parish church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, which was demolished to accommodate the Imperial College, as stipulated by Maria of Austria. The construction of the Colegiata was initiated in 1620, with architect Pedro Sánchez designing the building. Work commenced two years later and continued under Sánchez until his death in 1633. The project was subsequently carried on by Francisco Bautista and Melchor de Bueras, with the church's completion in 1664. Despite its completion date, the church was consecrated earlier, on September 23, 1651.

Initially, the church was dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, a prominent early member of the Society of Jesus, and was closely associated with the order. However, following the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767, it transitioned to a collegiate church. Two years later, in 1769, the church was rededicated to Saint Isidore to commemorate the translation of the saint's relics from the Church of Saint Andrew. The relics of Saint Mary of the Head were also transferred at this time. The interior underwent significant reworking by the renowned architect Ventura Rodríguez, who was responsible for a new, highly decorative high altar and chancel.

Role as Pro-Cathedral and Later Events

With the establishment of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid, the church was elevated to the status of pro-cathedral in 1885. It maintained this rank until the completion of the present Almudena Cathedral in 1993, after which San Isidro reverted to its collegiate status. During its time as pro-cathedral, the church also housed important religious artworks, including the Holy Christ of the Good Death, along with depictions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Isidore, all created by Juan de Mesa.

A devastating fire occurred in 1936 at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, severely damaging the building. The fire caused the dome to collapse and destroyed numerous works of art, including the meticulously designed Rodríguez high altar and paintings by Luca Giordano Ricci.

Restoration and Modern Day

Following the Spanish Civil War, the church underwent an extensive restoration process that spanned two decades. The restoration efforts focused on recreating the original features of the basilica, including a faithful replica of the Rodríguez high altar. The project concluded in the 1960s with the addition of a new section to the façade towers, designed by architect Javier Barroso.

Another notable aspect of the church's preservation is the restoration of the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as "Our Lady of the Sailors Chapel." This restoration was notably funded by the British Embassy in Madrid, with the Coat-of-Arms of the United Kingdom prominently displayed above the altar.