Convento de las Góngoras, Madrid, Baroque convent in Justicia district, Madrid, Spain.
The Convento de las Góngoras is a baroque convent in Madrid's Justicia district with a single-nave church crowned by a dome. The central cloister, corner arches decorated with evangelist frescoes, and its ongoing religious function shape the building's structure today.
King Philip IV founded the convent in 1663 as gratitude for the birth of his heir Charles II. The Mercedarian nuns were relocated from their flooded residence and found a new home here.
The facade blends baroque elements with neoclassical details added in 1775, shaping the building's outward appearance. This mix shows how architectural tastes changed over time.
The building functions today as an active convent and has housed La Merced School since 1968. Visitors should note this is a working religious and educational site, which may limit visiting hours.
The street name Luis de Góngora leads to confusion, as the convent was actually named after Juan Jiménez de Góngora, a minister of the Council of Castile. This historical distinction is often missed by visitors, showing how street names and building names can have different origins.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
