Instituto de San Isidro

Born from Estudios de la Villa (1346), Colegio Imperial (1603), and Reales Estudios de San Isidro (1625) Instituto de San Isidro is the oldest secondary school in Madrid and possibly in Spain.

Located in the heart of Madrid, in the La Latina district, the building contains treasures such as a magnificent baroque cloister (1672), a Baroque staircase and an elegant chapel (1723), among other ancient works of art.

On the staircase we find this lovely little museum dedicated to the history of the school, with exhibits on the ground floor, which explain its origins and curriculum, and maps, photographs, and other objects on the upper floor. It also has a recreation of an old classroom. Free entry

During its fruitful existence, the centre has welcomed distinguished students and teachers: Lope de Vega, Calderon de la Barca, Francisco de Quevedo, Nicolás Salmerón, the Machado brothers, Joseph Canalejas, Jacinto Benavente, Juan de la Cierva, Eduardo Dato, Pío Baroja, Gregorio Marañón, Vicente Aleixandre, Camilo José Cela, and even King Juan Carlos I of Spain.