Royal Convent of La Encarnación

The convent was founded in 1611 by Felipe III and Margarita de Austria, for the ecclesiastic order of the Agustinas de Recoletas, following the tradition, between the monarchy and the Spanish nobility, of sponsoring religious buildings. The church has a Latin cross floor, an only one nave, transept and dome. Its façade is one of the most beautiful facades of the post- Herrerian style in Madrid, with the three classic entrance arches.

It is crowned by a rectangular gable.

The interior part of the building is a Ventura Rodríguez´ s work. It is made of jasper, marbles and golden bronzes. Its decoration is typically Castilian, with blue and white glazed tiles from Talavera and wooden doors and beams. It has an excellent art gallery with works of Lucas Jordán, Francisco Bayeu, Juan Van de Hammen, Gregorio, Fernández or Pedro de Mena. The Major Chapel, has a Latin cross floor, and is decorated with frescoes of Bayeu.

In the cloister there are pictures with scenes of the Virgin´ s Life, The choir has a set of chairs from the XVII Century. In the Reliquary chapel there is an ampoule which contains coagulated blood of St Pantaleón, which is liquidized every year the day 27 July. The monastery was useful for housing ladies from the high nobility.

Interesting links

   Royal Convent of La Encarnación