Monastery of Santa Clara, Briviesca

The Monastery of Santa Clara is a Renaissance-period structure with two cloisters, a church laid out in a Latin cross form, and an octagonal transept covered by a Gothic star vault. The building complex shows the typical layout of a women's monastery with separate areas for prayer, work, and communal living.

Construction began in 1512 under the direction of Mencia de Velasco and followed the architectural model of Santa Clara de Medina de Pomar. The building arose during a period when such religious institutions served as important centers of learning and community life.

The name honors Saint Clare, whose devotion was widespread in medieval times, and the spatial layout shows how nuns lived and prayed in this community daily. You can still see evidence of this religious rhythm in how the church spaces are arranged around the main altar.

The church section is open to visitors daily, with guided tours available by arrangement through the Briviesca Tourism Office. The convent area remains closed to the public, so plan to focus mainly on the church and altar spaces.

The monastery grounds include a 16th-century hospital that was originally built to serve pilgrims and still features cloisters in the Herrerian style. This companion building was an integral part of the complex, combining religious devotion with practical care for travelers.