Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Religious monastery in central Madrid, Spain.
Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced was a monastery in central Madrid with a Renaissance church built in a Latin cross shape containing three naves and eight side chapels. The main cloister held religious artworks and served as the heart of the community's daily life and prayer.
The monastery was founded on August 4, 1564 by Fray Gaspar de Torres, who gathered eight monks from convents in Guadalajara and Toledo. It became part of the religious revival movement of that era and served the spiritual needs of Madrid's residents for centuries.
The site was home to Fray Gabriel Téllez, better known as Tirso de Molina, an influential Spanish playwright of the 17th century. His presence shaped the intellectual life of the community and left traces in Madrid's literary history.
The monastery stood at the location of today's Plaza de Tirso de Molina, which was called Plaza del Progreso until 1939. Visitors can locate this spot easily in Madrid's old city by finding this central square.
The main cloister was decorated with paintings by Vicente Carducho and Lucas Jordán, two notable artists of the period. Beyond the church, the compound included an infirmary, a pharmacy, a printing press, and a bakery that made it self-sufficient.
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