Convento de San Francisco

Convento de San Francisco is a 13th-century monastery in Villafranca del Bierzo featuring a Romanesque facade with a late Gothic chancel. The interior displays a two-level Plateresque choir and a prominent Churrigueresque altarpiece showcasing a Christ painting.

The monastery was founded in 1213 by Queen Urraca of León and relocated to its present site in 1285. This move received support from María de la Cerda and began a new chapter for the community.

The monastery welcomes pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, who encounter architectural styles spanning several Spanish artistic periods. The building showcases layers of Romanesque, Gothic, and Plateresque design that reflect the region's creative evolution.

The monastery remains open for religious services and visitor exploration of both the church and convent spaces. The convent section was reconstructed after suffering fire damage in 1835, so some areas may appear newer than others.

The altar holds a Eucharistic Christ painting attributed to the school of Juan de Flandes, showing Flemish artistic influence. This rare blend of Northern European and Spanish artistic traditions makes the work particularly noteworthy.