Convento de San Felipe el Real facts for kids
The Convento de San Felipe el Real was an old monastery in Madrid, Spain. It was home to Augustinian monks. This convent was located near the famous Puerta del Sol square.
It was built between the 1500s and 1600s. The convent stood on a raised platform with railings. This platform included a well-known meeting spot called the Steps of San Felipe. Many people gathered there to talk and share news. A famous guest at the convent was Friar Luis de León. The building was across from the Palacio de Oñate.
Contents
History of San Felipe el Real
The idea for the convent started in 1539. A man named Francisco Osorio suggested building a new Augustinian monastery in Madrid. At first, the Archbishop of Toledo, Don Juan Martínez Silíceo, said no. He felt Madrid already had enough monasteries.
However, many important people asked him to change his mind. These included Prince Philip II and Maria of Aragon. Maria was the aunt of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Because of these requests, the Archbishop finally agreed.
Founding the Convent
The Augustinian convent of San Felipe el Real officially began in 1547. This was made possible by a special order from Pope Paul III. The church was named after Saint Philip the Apostle. Prince Philip II was a great admirer of this saint.
To build the convent, part of a site owned by the Count of Orgaz was used. This land was near the "wide street of Puerta del Sol." The Count gave the land to the monks in exchange for a special chapel. The main entrance to the convent was where the current calle de Esparteros is today.
At first, a simple wooden chapel was built. It opened on March 14, 1545. The main church was later designed by Luis and Gaspar de Vega. The ground was uneven, so the building was placed on a raised platform. This platform was called a "lonja." Underneath it, there were small shops or "covachuelas." These shops sold various goods. The city council allowed this space to be used, but only for public purposes.
Later Events and Demolition
On August 22, 1622, a sad event happened nearby. Juan de Tassis y Peralta, the Count of Villamediana, was murdered. This took place right at the door of the nearby Palacio de Oñate.
The church suffered a fire in 1718. Later, during the French Napoleonic Invasion, the entire building was badly damaged. After a period called the Confiscation of Mendizábal, the convent was torn down in 1838. This was done to make Calle Mayor wider. In its place, the first apartment building in Madrid was constructed. This building is known as the Casa Cordero, built between 1842 and 1845.
Steps of San Felipe
During the 1500s, the convent had strong walls. These walls helped separate the quiet life of the monks from the busy Puerta del Sol. The front of the convent, designed by Juan Gutiérrez Toribio, had a large stepped area. This area was known as the Lonja de San Felipe.
People from Madrid often gathered here. They would exchange news, rumors, and secrets. Because of this, it was called the "mentidero" of Madrid. This word means a place for gossip or rumors. The Steps of San Felipe were also used to recruit soldiers. These soldiers were sent to the Spanish Netherlands during the War of Flanders.
One day, too many people gathered on the balcony of the lonja. They were watching a prisoner being taken away. The balcony could not hold the weight and it collapsed. This accident caused many deaths and injuries.
Features of the Convent
The convent had a beautiful Renaissance-style cloister. This cloister was considered one of the best in Madrid. Besides the famous "lonja" with its steps, the convent also had "covachuelas." These were galleries located under the convent's floor.
The "covachuelas" served as marketplaces. People could buy many different items there. These included toys and books.
See also
In Spanish: Convento de San Felipe el Real para niños
