Monasterio de Uclés

The Monasterio de Uclés is a monastery built starting in 1529 on a hill above a small town in Cuenca province, combining Renaissance and later Baroque architectural styles over more than two centuries. The complex has a square layout with a church at its north end, two cloisters with rounded arches, and rooms including a monks' dining hall with wooden ceiling beams and a sacristy with Gothic arches.

The site once held a Celtiberian fortress and later an Arab castle for defense, until Christian forces took control during the Reconquista period. Construction of the new monastery for the Santiago order began in 1529, with successive builders adding their influence through different architectural styles over the following decades.

The monastery served as a spiritual center for the Santiago religious order and shaped the life of the local community for centuries. Its role remains visible today in the prayer spaces, the layout of cloisters, and the ceremonies still held in its main church.

Plan your visit in advance since guided tours must be reserved beforehand and are not available without booking. A typical tour lasts about one hour, and the site is open Tuesday through Sunday with Mondays closed.

The monastery is sometimes called 'The Escorial of La Mancha' because of its architectural similarities to the famous El Escorial palace in Madrid. This comparison comes from the parallel layout and religious purpose shared by both buildings from the same historical period.