Monastery of Saint Jerome (Granada)

Monastery of Saint Jerome (Granada)


The Monastery of St. Jerome is an imposing Renaissance-style temple dating back to 1504, when the Catholic Monarchs ordered its construction to reaffirm the reconquest of 1492. Construction ended in 1522, when Diego de Siloé completed the main chapel. It was the first temple in the world to be consecrated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Its architecture presents a classic Latin cross plan typical of the Order of St. Jerome, along with a raised choir and an altar with a wide staircase.

The temple is heavily decorated with Renaissance details and works of art with coffered panels, sculptural groups and scallops, forming an authentic epilogue of Spanish humanism.

In addition to its variety of works of art, the monastery has a pair of garden cloisters, the first being the most representative of the Renaissance. Seven arcosolia function as Classical-style chapels and are decorated in a very formal style to form a funeral home where the remains of Don Gonzalo rest.

The second cloister was designed strictly as a residential area for the Hieronymite nuns. At one point, it served as a traveling residence for Empress Isabella of Portugal during her wedding trip to Charles V.

With the arrival of the 19th century, the monastery suffered the onslaught of the Napoleonic War and subsequent confiscation. It remained severely deteriorated until a thorough restoration was carried out between 1916 and 1920 by the famous architect Fernando Wilhelmi. A subsequent reform took place in the 1960s.

Given its enormous heritage and artistic value, the monastery has received the declaration of Asset of Cultural Interest and Historical-Artistic Monument.
   
 
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What to see in Granada