Convento de Madre de Dios

Convento de Madre de Dios is a Dominican convent in the San Bartolomé neighborhood featuring a single-nave church with intricate wooden coffered ceilings. A grand marble entrance on San José Street serves as the main point of entry into the complex.

Isabel Ruiz de Esquivel founded the convent in 1472, and Queen Isabella I provided it with properties from the former Jewish quarter in 1496. These early gifts established the foundation for its lasting presence in Seville.

The community here produces handmade sweets following recipes that have been handed down over centuries by the sisters. This craft remains a living part of everyday life within these walls.

The convent is accessible during morning and afternoon hours on most days, and visitors can purchase homemade sweets during their visit. It is helpful to check opening times in advance since these can vary seasonally.

Three great-granddaughters of Christopher Columbus became nuns here and are buried within the church. Their tombs represent an unexpected link between the age of exploration and this Seville community.