Convent of Santa Clara, Franciscan convent in Oviedo, Spain.
The Convent of Santa Clara is a Franciscan monastery in Oviedo, Spain, featuring a three-story cloister with semicircular arches on the ground floor and carefully crafted stonework throughout. The building now houses government offices of the Treasury Department while maintaining its historical facade on Calle Covadonga.
The convent was founded in the 13th century outside the city walls and underwent substantial expansion in the 18th century with baroque architecture. This rebuilding phase shaped the structure that stands today, blending its original religious purpose with modern administrative uses.
The original Romanesque entrance portal was preserved and relocated to the Palace of Villabona in Llanera, keeping this architectural piece connected to its religious origins. The relocation shows how significant building elements from the convent were protected and integrated into other locations over time.
The building is located on Calle Covadonga and the exterior is visible from the street, though interior spaces are currently used as government offices and not always open to visitors. Visit on weekdays to observe the outer architecture and preserved facade from outside.
The cloister was built between 1750 and 1753 by Pedro Muñiz Somonte and stands on an elevated base to compensate for the sloping terrain. This construction solution demonstrates skilled adaptation to the challenging topography of the site.
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