Royal Convent of La Encarnación, Baroque monastery in Plaza de la Encarnación, Madrid, Spain
The Royal Convent of La Encarnación is a baroque monastery in Madrid's Plaza de la Encarnación, featuring an ornately designed church with frescoes and extensive art collections. The interior showcases works by major Spanish sculptors and painters arranged throughout its sacred spaces.
Construction started in 1616 under architect Alberto de la Madre de Dios, commissioned by Queen Margaret of Austria, wife of King Philip III. The monastery developed as a major expression of royal patronage during Madrid's baroque era.
The convent reflects Madrid's baroque religious art through sculptures and paintings by renowned Spanish masters visible throughout its spaces. These works show how artists expressed faith and royal patronage during the 17th century.
The monastery is open for visits most days and sits on a central plaza in Madrid's historic center, easily accessible on foot. Guided tours are available to help visitors navigate the interior and learn about the collections.
During the Napoleonic occupation, local residents protested by hanging a cat with a message at the monastery gate, addressing the French king Joseph Bonaparte. This unusual act of resistance reveals how Madriders expressed their rejection of foreign rule in creative ways.
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