Convent of the Encarnación, Bilbao

The Convent of the Encarnación is a Dominican complex in Bilbao featuring a church with a Latin cross design and a cloister surrounded by covered walkways on the lower level. The structure blends Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements throughout its layout.

Founded in 1499, the present structure was constructed between 1515 and 1560 under the direction of Fray Martín de Santiago. This period of construction established the building as an important religious center in the city.

The convent now serves as a home for the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, displaying religious objects and paintings that represent the spiritual traditions of the region. Visitors can observe how religious devotion shaped local artistic expression over centuries.

The convent is located at Plaza de la Encarnación 9B and can be reached on foot from Bilbao's city center. Visitors should allow time to explore both the church interior and the museum displays on different levels.

The church features distinctive round pillars and complex ribbed vaults with varied patterns that give the space unusual depth. The vault in the apse with its network of ribs stands out distinctly from typical Renaissance designs of the period.