Convento de San José (Ávila) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Convento de San José |
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Main facade by Francisco de Mora, the ornamental statue is by Giraldo di Merlo.
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Status | Monastery |
| Location | |
| Location | Ávila, Spain |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iii), (iv) |
| Designated | 1985 (9th session) |
| Parent listing | Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches |
| Reference no. | 348-003 |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| 11 May 1968 | |
| RI-51-0003796 | |
The Convento de San José (which means Convent of Saint Joseph) is a special monastery in Ávila, Spain. It's home to Discalced Carmelite nuns. This important building is just outside the old medieval walls of the city. Saint Teresa of Jesus was the main person who wanted this monastery built. Construction began in 1562. The church part of the convent, designed by Francisco de Mora, was started later in 1607, after Saint Teresa had passed away. A statue on the front of the building was ordered by King Philip III of Spain and made by the artist Giraldo de Merlo.
Contents
How the Convent Started
The Convent of Saint Joseph is a monastery for Discalced Carmelite nuns. It is located in the Spanish city of Ávila, in the region called Castile and León. This was the very first monastery that Saint Teresa of Jesus founded. She had help from important people, like Alvaro Hurtado de Mendoza, who was the Bishop of Ávila. He was later buried at the convent.
The main convent building was constructed in 1562. However, the church, which is a very important part of the building, was not built until 1607. On August 24, 1963, Pope Paul VI sent a special representative, Cardinal Arcadio Larraona Saralegui. He came to officially crown an old statue of Saint Joseph that is kept inside the convent. This crowning was a very special event for the nuns.
The Building's Design
The church at the convent was designed by a famous architect named Francisco de Mora (1553–1610). He planned the church to have one main open space, called a nave. This space has a curved ceiling, known as a vaulted ceiling. There is also a dome built over the transept, which is the part of the church that crosses the main nave.
The front of the church, called the main facade, looks like it has two main levels. It has a triangular top part, called a pediment. At the bottom, there is a portico with three arches. This design became very popular for religious buildings in the 1600s. It was even used as a model for other Discalced Carmelite buildings. Inside the church, there is a special area called the Chapel of the Guillamas family. This chapel serves as a family crypt, which is a burial place.
Keeping It Safe: Protecting the Convent
The Convent of Saint Joseph has been protected by Spanish law since 1968. At that time, it was officially named a national monument. This means it is a very important historical building.
The convent is also part of a larger area that is protected as a World Heritage Site. This site is called "Old Town of Avila and its extra muros churches." When the site was first named, the monastery was not included. But later, it was added to the protected area. It is listed as one of ten churches that are extra muros, meaning they are outside the old city walls.
Today, the convent has a museum inside it. This museum is dedicated to Saint Teresa of Jesus. It is called the Museo Teresiano and is run by the Discalced Carmelites.
See also
In Spanish: Convento de San José (Ávila) para niños
