Convento de Las Descalzas Reales, Valladolid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales |
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| 41°39′21″N 4°43′16″W / 41.65583°N 4.72111°W | |
| Location | Valladolid, Castile and León, Spain |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1550 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | National Monument |
| Designated | 1974 |
| Architect(s) | Francisco de Mora |
| Architectural type | Classical Baroque |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Valladolid |
The Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales is a special monastery found in Valladolid, Spain. Its name means "Monastery of the Barefoot Royals." This is because the nuns who live there, from the Colettine branch of the Order of St. Clare, used to walk barefoot inside their home. It's important not to confuse this monastery with another one in Madrid that has a similar name.
The monastery first started in Villalcázar de Sirga in 1550. It was first dedicated to Our Lady of Pity. In 1552, the nuns moved to Valladolid. King Philip III of Spain then ordered its dedication to be changed to Our Lady of the Assumption. He also started a project to rebuild the monastery.
Today, the monastery stands on a large piece of land in the city. Its current building was designed in the 17th century by Francisco de Mora. It shows a style called Classical Baroque.
History of the Monastery
The nuns of this monastery belong to the Order of the Barefoot Franciscans of St. Clare. The monastery was first founded in 1550 in Villalcázar de Sirga. Two years later, in 1552, the nuns moved to Valladolid. They got help from their supporter, the Count of Osorno. He helped them find a new home in Valladolid.
To make sure the nuns had a proper place to live, several houses were bought. In 1552, Fadrique Osorio of Toledo and his wife, Inés de Pimentel, bought houses for the convent. These included the palace of Alonso de Argüello and other homes. All these buildings were perfect for the nuns' monastic life.
In 1595, new supporters took over the monastery's care. These were Francisco Enríquez de Almansa and his wife Mariana de Zúñiga y Velasco. They promised to build a new church and a suitable building for the monastery. In return, they would have a special chapel for their family burials.
What It Looks Like Today
The monastery complex is still standing and is very well preserved. It includes a church, a cloister (a covered walkway), a courtyard, other buildings, and a garden. In 2007, 13 Colettine Poor Clare nuns lived there. They earned money by running an industrial laundry within the monastery. This special place has been recognized as a National Monument since 1974.
See also
In Spanish: Convento de las Descalzas Reales (Valladolid) para niños
