Antiguo Monasterio de la Victoria, Gothic monastery and former prison in El Puerto de Santa María, Spain
Description
The Antiguo Monasterio de la Victoria is a Gothic structure in El Puerto de Santa María featuring a church with eight side chapels and pointed vaults. The complex includes a two-story cloister with cruciform galleries and a distinctive bell tower.
History
The Dukes of Medinaceli built the monastery in 1504 as a family burial site. In 1886, it was converted into a prison and functioned as one for nearly a century.
Culture
The monastery served as a spiritual center for centuries before becoming a detention facility. Today, its chapels and cloisters reflect this dual past as both a religious institution and a place of confinement.
Practical
The building is accessible for official ceremonies and cultural events and received Cultural Heritage status in 1978. Visitors can best explore the architectural details of the chapels and cloisters in natural daylight.
Did you know?
The building uses flying buttresses instead of standard buttresses, an uncommon architectural choice for structures of that period in Spain. This engineering solution was innovative for the Gothic architecture of its time.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (El Puerto de Santa María).
Iglesia Mayor Prioral
1.2 km
Castillo de San Marcos
1.3 km
Convento del Espíritu Santo
471 m
Pedro Muñoz Seca Municipal Theater
1.5 km
Ermita de Santa Clara
885 m
Museo Arqueológico Municipal de El Puerto de Santa María
1.2 km
Fuente de las Galeras
1.1 km
Convento de la Concepción
1.3 km
Convento de Santo Domingo
1.3 km
Museo Fundación Rafael Alberti
1.3 km
Centro Cultural Municipal Alfonso X El Sabio
965 m
Pasarela peatonal "Pepe el del Vapor"
765 m
Bodega El Tiro de Osborne
713 m
Iglesia de la Prisión Central
7 m
Palacio de Aranibar
1.3 km
Hospital de San Juan de Dios
1.2 km
Puente de San Alejandro
679 m
Jardines de la Quinta Terry
330 m
Iglesia Parroquial San José Obrero
502 m
Biblioteca Pública Municipal de El Puerto de Santa María - Poeta Rafael Esteban Poullet
965 m
Antiguo Monasterio de San Miguel Arcángel
592 m
Palacio del Marqués de Villareal y Purullena
1.5 km
I.E.S. de la Torre
899 m
Casa de los Leones "La Placilla"
1 km
Parque Calderón y Vergel del Conde
890 m
Paseo de la Victoria
165 m
Cementerio de El Puerto de Santa María
838 m
Casa de los Diezmos
966 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes