Monasterio de la Encarnacion description and photos - Spain: Madrid (Topic)

Monasterio de la Encarnacion description and photos - Spain: Madrid. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Monasterio de la Encarnacion.

Photo and description

The Monastery of Encarnacion is one of the largest active monasteries in Spain, located in Madrid. The monastery of Encarnacion was founded in 1611 by Queen Margaret of Austria, wife of Philip III, who rendered every assistance in its construction.

The monastery was built in the period from 1611 to 1616 by the design of the court architect Alberto de la Madre Dios. The building was erected on the ground where the houses of the Marquis de Pozas were previously located, bought from them by the king. Brick and stone slabs were used in the construction of the main facade, in the Herresco style. The facade is decorated with the shield of Queen Margaret and a relief image of the Annunciation made of marble. The start of construction was marked by a solemn ceremony, on which the first stone of the building was laid by the king himself with the blessing of the archbishop. Unfortunately, the queen did not wait for the completion of the construction of the monastery - she died 3 days after the start of construction.

The interior of the building was significantly altered by the architect Rodriguez Ventura after a fire in the monastery in the 18th century. The talented architect introduced elements of neoclassicism into the interior of the monastery, adding original altar decorations and paintings. The interior of the church is also decorated with murals by Luca Giordano, works by Francisco Bayeu, magnificent tiles, as well as sculptures by Gregorio Fernnades and a fine collection of paintings by Jose de Ribera and Vincenzo Carducci.

The relics contain the relics of saints, as well as a vessel with caked drops of St. Panteleimon. Every year, on July 27, on the day of the saint's death, the blood becomes liquid, and if one day this does not happen, then, according to legend, terrible troubles await Madrid.

In 1965, the monastery was opened to visitors.

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Topic: Monasterio de la Encarnacion description and photos - Spain: Madrid.