Known simply as El Sacramental de San Isidro for short, the cemetery’s official name is El Cementerio de la Pontificia y Real Archicofradía Sacramental de San Pedro, San Andrés, San Isidro y de la Purísima Concepción. It was built in 1811, providing burial plots to members following the prohibition of interments within the city and inside churches for health and hygiene reasons. It ended up becoming the preferred final resting place among Madrid’s aristocracy on account of the lavish pantheons built there.

It was built on the hill known as El Cerro de las Ánimas, behind the chapel and the fountain of San Isidro Labrador. It includes nine courtyards, of which the first three are the oldest and most elegant: San Pedro (Courtyard 1), San Andrés (Courtyard 2), and San Isidro (Courtyard 3). Courtyard 4 (Purísima Concepción) is known for its artistic and monumental magnificence, a truly exceptional open-air museum of 19th and 20th century architecture and sculpture.

Classed as a BIC cultural heritage site, it is the oldest preserved cemetery in Madrid, one of the most important architectural sites in Spain and among the  most beautiful in Europe. It is open to the public from Monday to Sunday from 9am to 3pm, when you can enjoy a guided tour, which can be booked by e-mailing (info@cementeriodesanisidro.com), calling 650 779 950, during opening hours (Monday to Friday, 9am-3pm) or in the form of its official website.