Convent of Santa Clara, Gothic convent in Pontevedra, Spain.
The Convent of Santa Clara is a Gothic monastery in Pontevedra featuring a single-nave rectangular church with a polygonal apse at its end. Inside, you find three large stained glass windows and ornate Baroque altarpieces, while gardens and fruit tree orchards surround the building.
This religious complex was founded in 1271 and became an important center in Pontevedra's spiritual life. It housed Poor Clare nuns for more than 700 years before closing in 2017 due to the decline in religious vocations.
The convent served as a spiritual center for the Poor Clare nuns who lived here for generations and shaped the religious life of Pontevedra. Their presence left a lasting imprint on how people in the city view this place.
The complex has extensive gardens with fruit trees and a stone fountain featuring a statue of Santa Clara. Wear comfortable shoes since the grounds span a large area that takes time to explore.
Couples traditionally brought eggs and offerings to seek favorable weather for their wedding day, a custom that reveals how deeply rooted the convent was in local beliefs and daily life. This ritual connected important life events to the spiritual power attributed to this place.
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