Add a review about the Monastery Museum of Las Descalzas in Madrid

Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales in Madrid - one of the many Spanish "royal" monasteries, which pious Catholic monarchs created for a long Spanish history very much. The difference is precisely this monastery in that it is located in the capital and right at one of the royal palaces.

The palace was considered the fourth most important royal palace, the monarchs here spent quite a lot of time, and the monastery from this only rich. It was founded in 1559 for the Order of Saint Poor Clara and was intended primarily for the aristocracy.

The monastery quickly became very rich - one of the richest in Europe. But for tourists it's more important: it was a monastery of the mendicant order. Accordingly, the nuns could not have received the property nor spent or sold. Even in order to turn the monastery into a museum and take an entrance fee, it took the permission of the Pope. And this means that everything that got here for more than four hundred years of history is left here, and now it can be seen.

An extensive collection, exhibits mainly up to the 18th century of production. There are interesting things - for example, items donated by pilgrims

Exhibition Complex

Now the Royal Palace and the remains of the monastery represent a single complex that works as a museum. There are only a few nuns who work in the museum.

The palace is interesting in itself, and here at the time of the creation of the museum all the items from the monastery vaults were put on display. The result is an amazing complex: a palace, several churches and a museum filled with unique objects

Exposition

In the royal palace you can find a lot of paintings, sculptures and various objects, including a collection of furniture.

The museum stores a lot of church items, including very ancient, mostly gold and silver, many church sculptures and a number of paintings.

The monastery owns one of Titian's paintings and paintings of Peter Breughel the elder, and sketches for monastic tapestries with elany Rubens. All this is in the museum.

An extensive collection was received, in which many items of varying degrees of old age were collected, but mostly up to the 18th century of production. Most of them are made for use in the church and reflect its history for more than 700 years. There are interesting things - for example, objects donated by pilgrims. The monastery has several religious shrines, so the pilgrims came here a lot.

Buildings

A separate attraction are the buildings. Both the palace and the monastery are built by famous architects in the style of the Castilian Renaissance, other famous architects have made the interior decoration. For more than 400 years of construction, they are included in the Spanish National Property Sheet

When planning the visit, it should be noted that the museum can only be inspected with the guide.
Museum Complex Buildings

Practical Information

Address: Madrid, Plaza de las Descalzas, Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales

You can get here by metro, Opera and Ramal Opera-Principe Pio stations

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 until 18:30, on Sunday and on holidays - from 10:00 to 15:00. Monday - the day off.

Ticket price: 6 EUR (for the autumn of 2014).