The Convent of St. Paul was a monastery dating back to the 15th century. At that time, it served as a cloistered convent for the nuns of the Franciscan order. Thus, it is considered one of the oldest temples in Caceres.
In a late-Gothic architectural style, the convent was built on the foundations of an old hermitage on one of the highest levels of Caceres, very close to the Church of St. Matthew.
Its flared doorway with a slightly pointed arch is very simple. What stands out the most is the architectural ensemble that follows a clearly Gothic model.
The interior of the convent is austere and simple, but its beautiful altarpiece of unmistakable Churrigueresque influence stands out. It has a splendid sculptural ensemble that represents the conversion of St. Paul and that gives the temple its name. It is the result of rich goldsmithing and has a fine and splendid finish.
For several centuries, the convent was under the leadership of the Tertiary Order of St. Francis. However, in the mid-20th century, it fell under the care of the Poor Clare nuns as the closing convent of that order.
Although it is a very simple temple, the convent is of tourist interest, as the Poor Clare nuns produce and sell exquisite handmade sweets and desserts that have become popular over the years due to their high quality.
What to see in Caceres