Charterhouse of Santa María de la Defención

The Charterhouse of Jerez de la Frontera is the most artistically significant monumental complex in the province of Cádiz. In fact, it was declared a Historical-Artistic Monument in 1856.

It was established at the initiative of the knight Álvaro Obertos de Valeto in 1476, with construction beginning in late Gothic style two years later.

Most of its dependencies were built in the 16th century, and renovations and expansions took place during the 17th and 18th centuries. Flamboyant Gothic, plateresque, renaissance, and baroque styles harmoniously blend in this monumental complex.

Its Renaissance portal, created by Andrés de Ribera in 1571, stands out. This portal provides access to a large paved courtyard, at the far end of which rises the outstanding façade of the church, resembling a retablo. This façade consists of two side streets and an attic. 

The church has a single nave plan and is covered by star-shaped ribbed vaults. It was completed in 1552 and underwent some reforms in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its grand façade, previously mentioned, was carried out in 1667.

The interior of the temple features the Chapel of Santa María, the Choir Stalls, and the Main Altarpiece, crafted by Juan de Oviedo de la Bandera. Originally, the altarpiece was made for the church of La Merced in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, but it was moved to the Charterhouse of Jerez in 1960. There are also other interesting pieces inside, such as the wrought iron screen at the foot of the church (16th century).

Besides the church, there are other constructions of special note within this monumental complex. The Gothic cloister or the claustrillo of the church attached to the temple stands out with its slender arches and pierced buttresses. It is crowned with a beautiful Gothic cresting and pinnacles over the buttresses. Here are the portals of other dependencies, which are also of great artistic quality: the refectory, the chapter house, and various chapels. 

The large Cloister (also called the cemetery cloister) is of more austere construction but of elegant beauty. It is of a square plan and its galleries are covered by ribbed vaults. 

From the southern wall, access is gained to an open courtyard, known as the Kitchen Courtyard, through which you reach the Lay Brothers’ Cloister. This cloister has a square plan, with galleries of semicircular arches on Tuscan marble columns. These galleries are covered with groin vaults.

The charterhouse was restored after destruction during the French invasion (1810) and regained its original function. Today it is in good condition. 

With the arrival of the Mendizábal disentailment, Zurbarán’s works for the Main Altarpiece of the church were looted. Today, almost all are housed in the Provincial Museum of Cádiz (The Apotheosis of Saint Bruno and small canvases with four Evangelists, Saint Lawrence, and Saint John the Baptist).

It is currently occupied by the Sisters of Bethlehem, who organise exhibitions and other activities.