Cloister of the Church of San Jerónimo el Real, Gothic cloister near Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain
The Cloister of San Jerónimo el Real is a Gothic monastery courtyard surrounded by multi-story arcaded corridors with detailed stone archways and vaulting. The rectangular inner court is framed by columns and creates the central core of the historic monastic complex.
Founded in 1503 under Queen Isabella I as a Benedictine monastery, the complex remained an active center of monastic life until the monks were expelled during the 1808 War of Independence.
The cloister holds deep ties to Spanish royal ceremonies, as the proclamation of King Juan Carlos I in 1975 took place at the adjacent church. This connection to the monarchy makes it a significant stage in Spain's modern political life.
The cloister is now integrated into the Museo del Prado extension and can be visited as part of the museum. Plan time to appreciate the intricate stonework and architectural details throughout the space.
Every stone from the 17th-century Baroque cloister was individually numbered and documented before the entire structure was carefully reassembled stone by stone. This meticulous restoration allowed the original layout to be preserved exactly while integrating the structure into the museum.
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