The Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, Madrid: All Year

The Convent of las Descalzas Reales, a stately 16th century building in the heart of Madrid, has a more fascinating backstory than one would assume for a convent full of nuns. 

The Convent of las Descalzas Reales, a stately 16th century building in the heart of Madrid, has a more fascinating backstory than one would assume for a convent full of nuns. But the nuns in this convent held secrets in their time, many of which are now on display in las Descalzas's museum.

Originally built as the royal palace for King Charles I and his wife Isabel, the convent was founded shortly after the King's death in 1558 as a refuge for noblewomen looking to escape from difficult lives by going into the Sisterhood. The convent took them on as Franciscan nuns, which is where the building gets its name, Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, or the convent of barefoot royals (the Franciscans were known for foregoing shoes as part of their vow of poverty). Often these were women fleeing from unwanted marriages, and they would bring they're dowries with them to contribute to the convent's wealth. Unfortunately, over time the convent could no longer support itself, as the nuns were unable to sell their belongings according to their vow of poverty, and by the mid-20th century it had fallen into such disrepair that it was taken over by the state and converted into a museum.

Now a site of National Patrimony, the convent does still house a small group of nuns, and its functioning sepulchral chapel is one of the main attractions of the building, with its breathtaking Spanish Renaissance architecture. Although plainer than many examples of Renaissance architecture in France and England, the towering columns and expansive whitewashed walls prominent in the Escurialense style of Renaissance architecture is undeniably austere and impressive. The main building of the museum also houses many treasures, including the supposed bones of St. Sebastian, Tiziano's Caesar's Money and a series of excellently maintained tapestries based on the works of the Baroque painter, Peter Paul Rubens.

Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales

Plaza de las Descalzas, 28013 Madrid

Opening Hours

Tuesday-Saturday 10.00-14.00 and 16.00-18.30
(Box office and open access to the monastery in the morning until 13.00 and in the afternoon until 17.30)

Sundays and holidays 10.00-15.00
(Box office and open access to the Monastery until 14:00)

The Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, Madrid: All Year
The Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, Madrid: All Year

Temporarily Closed !

Opening Hours

Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
10:00 - 14:00
16:00 - 18:30
Wednesday:
10:00 - 14:00
16:00 - 18:30
Thursday:
10:00 - 14:00
16:00 - 18:30
Friday:
10:00 - 14:00
16:00 - 18:30
Saturday:
10:00 - 14:00
16:00 - 18:30
Sunday:
10:00 - 15:00
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