Klooster Descalzas Reales

Address: Plaza De Las Descalzas 3

City: Madrid

Telephone: 91 454 88 00

Information

The Monastery of the Descalzas Reales ( translated : Royal Barefoot Nuns ) is the most complete 16th - century building in Madrid and accommodates up to this day a monastic community .

It was originally built as a palace for Alonso Gutierrez , treasurer of Charles V , but was converted into a monastery in 1556-64 by Antonio Sillero and Juan Bautista de Toledo after the sister of Philip II , called Joanna of Austria decided to become a nun because she had become a widow.

Founded with royal patronage , was Descalzas the favorite destination of many widows , young daughters and other women of the royal family and the nobility of Spain who entered religious orders .

It was the wealth they took of royal blood that the monastery is also a special collection of artworks - acquired - paintings , sculptures, tapestries and artifacts . Most of them were given as legacies of the novices and their families . This collection is on display .

Even the lavish baroque decoration of the building itself , despite its strict austere facade , with a large painted staircase, frescoed ceilings and 32 chapels , only some of which can otherwise be visited.

The largest non -Hispanic contingents populate its art collection are Italian , for example, Titian, Bernardino Luini , Angelo Nardi and Sebastiano del Piombo . But the Flemish , with Breughel ( an Adoration of the Magi ) , Joos van Cleve and Rubens .

In addition you may catch a glimpse of the nuns who work in the vegetable garden had been transformed into courtyard . During the tour This has remained virtually unchanged since the monastery was built , and is closed to the public .

The monastery was inside by very few seen until the 1980s , when it was partially restored and opened as a museum . It can be visited only with official guide , every 20 minutes passing by. A round trip takes about 50 minutes .

However, the guides rarely speak English. Although it is still a pleasant place to visit for the sheer opulence of her works , the building itself and its history .
Hours :
Closed on Mondays .
Tuesday to Thursday : 10.30am - 12.30pm ;
Friday: 10.30am - 12.30pm ;
Saturday: 4 - 5.30pm ;
Sunday: 11am - 1.30pm

Admission fees :
Standard Price € 5 , -
On Wednesday, free admission .

Klooster Descalzas Reales on the map of Madrid