Royal Monastery of Saint Dominic (Jaen)
This old Dominican convent has housed the Provincial Historical Archive of Jaen since 1989.
It was created in 1382 on the old palace of the Moorish governor when King John I of Castile gave it to the Dominican order, who created the College of Saint Dominic. Later, Pope Urban VIII gave it the rank of University of the Secular in 1629. At that time, it received the name of University of Saint Catherine Martyr.
Another use that was given to this building was that of the Court of the Inquisition of Jaen, founded in 1483. It was the third of the Castilian kingdoms, and it was one of the most active due to the large Judeo-converting population that inhabited the town.
Already in the 19th century, with the confiscation, it was transformed into a House of Charity and then a Men's Hospice, from 1847 to 1970.
As for the architecture, on its main facade, the Tuscan-style facade stands out, with three niches bearing the images of Saint Catherine, Saint Thomas and Saint Dominic. All this is framed by Corinthian columns. The church, from the 16th century, has a Renaissance facade.
Its cloister is considered the most beautiful in the city. In its central courtyard, the galleries of semi-circular arches with Tuscan columns stand out. On the upper floor, you can see decorative elements with subtle plant themes.
It was created in 1382 on the old palace of the Moorish governor when King John I of Castile gave it to the Dominican order, who created the College of Saint Dominic. Later, Pope Urban VIII gave it the rank of University of the Secular in 1629. At that time, it received the name of University of Saint Catherine Martyr.
Another use that was given to this building was that of the Court of the Inquisition of Jaen, founded in 1483. It was the third of the Castilian kingdoms, and it was one of the most active due to the large Judeo-converting population that inhabited the town.
Already in the 19th century, with the confiscation, it was transformed into a House of Charity and then a Men's Hospice, from 1847 to 1970.
As for the architecture, on its main facade, the Tuscan-style facade stands out, with three niches bearing the images of Saint Catherine, Saint Thomas and Saint Dominic. All this is framed by Corinthian columns. The church, from the 16th century, has a Renaissance facade.
Its cloister is considered the most beautiful in the city. In its central courtyard, the galleries of semi-circular arches with Tuscan columns stand out. On the upper floor, you can see decorative elements with subtle plant themes.
Location
What to see in Jaen
