Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, Royal monastery in central Madrid, Spain
The Convent of Las Descalzas Reales is a former palace in central Madrid that houses rooms filled with religious artwork and religious objects. The chambers display paintings, tapestries, and portraits that reflect centuries of artistic patronage and collecting.
Joanna of Austria, sister of King Philip II, founded this monastery in 1559 by converting a palace into a spiritual center. The complex evolved over subsequent generations into a major repository of religious artwork and royal collections.
The resident nuns have shaped this space over centuries through their daily spiritual practices. Their presence among the artwork and relics demonstrates how religious life and artistic patronage have coexisted within these walls.
Access to the interior is usually by guided tour only, which allows visitors to move through rooms systematically. Morning visits tend to be less crowded, giving you more time to observe the artwork and details at a comfortable pace.
The interior houses several reliquaries, including objects that believers venerated as fragments from sacred sites. These relics were historically central to the spiritual purpose of this place and attracted pilgrims over centuries.
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