Monastery of Santa Maria de las Cuevas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Monasterio de Santa María de las Cuevas Monastery of Our Lady of the Caves
Monastery of the Cartuja
Religion
Affiliation	Secularized
Status	CAAC (Andalusian Center of Contemporary Arts)
Location
Location	Seville, Andalusia, Spain
Architecture
Architectural type	Monastery
Architectural style	Mudéjar-Gothic-Reinaissance-Baroque

The Monastery of Santa María de las Cuevas, also called the Monastery of the Cartuja, is an old religious building in Seville, southern Spain. It is located on the Isla de La Cartuja. Today, this historic place is home to the Andalusian Contemporary Art Center (CAAC), a museum of modern art.

History of the Monastery

From Caves to a Holy Place

Long ago, during the time of the Moors in Spain, this area had many caves. Potters used these caves to make ovens and dig for clay. A story says that after Christians took over Seville in the 1200s, a statue of the Virgin Mary was found hidden in one of these caves.

Because of this discovery, a small chapel called Santa María de las Cuevas was built. It was made to protect the special statue. Later, in the 1400s, the archbishop of Seville and a noble family helped to build a Franciscan monastery here.

Monks and Famous Visitors

Over time, more buildings were added to the monastery. A rich man named Don Perafán de Ribera helped with some of these new parts. In the 1400s, monks from the Saint Bruno order moved into the monastery. They were a quiet, cloistered group.

The famous explorer Christopher Columbus was first buried in Valladolid. But his son, Diego, wanted his father's remains to be moved to the Monastery of the Cartuja. So, for a time, Columbus's remains rested here. In 1542, they were moved again to Santo Domingo.

Changes Over Time

During the time of the Napoleonic invasion, soldiers used the monastery as a barracks. They also took many things from it. After the soldiers left in 1812, the monks returned. However, the monastery was finally closed down between 1835 and 1836. This happened because of a big change in Spain where many monasteries were closed.

The Ceramics Factory Era

The tall chimney and bottle-shaped kilns are reminders of the old ceramics factory.

After the monastery closed, its property was taken by the government. In 1839, an Englishman named Charles Pickman bought the old monastery. He started a ceramics factory there in 1841.

Pickman brought in new ways of making pottery. He imported raw materials and used special machines. He also hired skilled British ceramists and pottery workers from nearby Triana. His factory, called La Cartuja de Sevilla, became very successful. It was one of the most popular brands in Europe and Latin American countries.

The factory won many awards at international shows. These included exhibitions in Paris, London, and Seville. In 1871, the King of Spain even named it a "Provider of the Royal House." Charles Pickman himself was given the title of Marquis.

The factory continued to make ceramics until 1984. Today, the tall chimney and the unique bottle-shaped kilns are still there. They are a reminder of the factory's history.

Becoming a National Monument and Art Museum

Inside the entrance gateway of the monastery.

In 1964, the monastery was declared a national monument. This meant it was a very important historical site. The government of Andalusia now owns it. They created a special group to look after it.

The monastery was restored for the Seville Expo '92, a big world's fair. In 1997, the oldest part of the monastery became home to a modern art museum. This museum is called the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC).

The Andalusian Contemporary Art Center (CAAC)

The path leading to the art center through a courtyard.

A beautiful rose window on a chapel inside the monastery.

The Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC) was started in 1990. Its main goal is to study, protect, and share modern art with people. In 1997, the Cartuja Monastery became the main home for the center.

The CAAC is an independent organization. It is supported by the Andalusian Government. It took over the art collections from the old Cartuja Monument Centre and the Contemporary Art Museum of Seville.

What the CAAC Does

One of the main goals of the CAAC is to help people learn about modern art from around the world. They do this through many activities. They hold temporary art exhibitions, where you can see different art pieces for a short time. They also organize workshops, concerts, and lectures. These events help people explore art in many ways.

The museum has a permanent collection of art. It includes works by artists like Luis Gordillo and Rebecca Horn. The collection especially focuses on modern art from Andalusia. It also shows how this art connects with art from other places. Since 1994, the center has also created exhibitions about the monastery itself. These shows use art from its archives to talk about important moments in modern art.

Exploring the Historic Grounds

When you visit the museum, you can also explore the historic parts of the old monastery. You can see the old chain door and the entrance area. There are several chapels, including Santa Catalina and San Bruno. You can also see the priory cell, the church, and the sacristy. Don't miss the cloisters, which are covered walkways, and the monks' dining hall. The gardens and orchards are also open to visitors.

See also

In Spanish: Monasterio de la Cartuja (Sevilla) para niños