Monastery of Las Huelgas

This monastery was built over the site of a leisure residence of the monarchs known as “Huelgas del Rey”. It was founded by Alfonso VIII, as a Kings´ Pantheon in 1887 and spiritual place of the High Society and Nobility Ladies. This group consists of a church, a monastery and a cloister for Cistercian nuns.

The church was built in 1219 in Gothic style. It has three naves, with a large presbytery with five apses and a transept. In the central one we can find the nuns´ choir next to the Kings´ Pantheon.

The major cloister is known as San Fernando. It was built during Fernando III el Santo´ s reign, the reason of its name. It should be highlight because of its pointed barrel vaults, maintaining in some of its bays fragments with fine Spanish- Muslim plaster motifs, such as set of bows and Arabic inscriptions.

From here, we can access to the Claustrillas or first monastic nucleus of the Community, in Romanesque style, and the Northern side of the cloister we can find the valuable Moorish chapel of the Assumption with horseshoe arches and Arab vegetal decoration.

The Chapter House has nine bays of transept over four pilasters, and here is exhibited the Flag of the Battle of the Navas de Tolosa.

Another important chapel is the chapel of Santiago, where the ritual of the Knights´ reception took place and where we can find the seated image of Santiago.

Finally the Museo de Ricas Telas, located in its former Cilla or pantry of the monastery, which have valuable samples of cloths as well as sacred object and ornaments.