Monasterio de la Encarnacion, Avila
Aerial view of the large Monastery of the Incarnation in Avila.
Image © Google Earth.
The Convento de la Encarnación in Ávila. Photo © Camino de La Lengua.
Courtyard with the Seven Chambers. Photo
Br Lawrence Lew, OP.
Photo
Jorge González.
Photo
Jorge González.
St. Teresa's monastic cell. Photo © Roberto Jiminez.
Just outside the medieval walls of Ávila is the Convento de la Encarnación (Convent of the Incarnation), an important stop on the pilgrimage to St. Teresa's Ávila. This is where Teresa lived, wrote, and had many of her mystical experiences.
History
St. Teresa entered this Carmelite convent on November 2, 1535. At the time it was one of the most populous and wealthy in the city, and many of the monastic rules had been relaxed.
Teresa lived in La Encarnación for 30 years. It was here that she received the advice of Francisco de Borja, Juan de la Cruz (John of the Cross) and Pedro de Alcántara, began to reform the Carmelite order, and had some of her mystical experiences.
Teresa left the convent in 1562 to found her first monastery and returned in 1571 as prioress. She left the Convent for the final time three years later.
What to See
Today, the Monasterio de la Encarnación remains an active convent but also houses a public Museum of St. Teresa. Here you can visit her monastic cell, tour other rooms associated with the saint, and see a variety of items used or touched by her. A display provides an introduction to Teresa's life, with maps showing the convents she founded and a selection of her sayings.
The courtyard of the convent is paved with a visual representation of the Interior Castle, written by St. Teresa in 1577. This work compares the contemplative soul to a castle with seven successive interior courts, or chambers, analogous to the seven heavens.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Monasterio de la Encarnacion |
| Dedicated to: | Incarnation of Christ |
| Location: | Avila, Castile and Leon, Spain |
| Categories: | Abbeys & Monasteries; Catholic Shrines |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Order: | Carmelite |
| Status: | active |
| Features: | Relics |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 40.662808° N, 4.699764° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Paseo De La Encarnacion, 05005 Avila, Spain |
| Hours: | Mon–Fri: 9.30am–1.30pm, 3.30–6pm Sat-Sun: 10am–1pm, 4–6pm |
| Cost: | €1.30 |
Travel Resources for Avila
- Avila Map - our detailed interactive map of Avila, plus hand-picked links to more
- Avila Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Avila Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Avila Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Avila tourism
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Monasterio de la Encarnacion. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Avila Map.
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Santa Teresa and Mysticism - Avila Tourism
- The Rough Guide to Spain 11, p. 178.
Article last updated: 07/19/2009.
