Monasterio de la Encarnación, Madrid
Aerial view of the Monasterio de la Encarnación in Madrid.
Image © Google Earth.
Facade of the monastery. Photo
Luis García.
Church interior. Photo
Håkan Svensson.
High altar. Photo
Håkan Svensson.
Cupola with 17th-century frescoes. Photo
Håkan Svensson.
Location map and aerial view of the Monasterio de la Encarnación. For a larger interactive view, see our Madrid Map.
Nestled in a charming little square between the Royal Palace and Plaza España, the Monasterio de la Encarnación is the second of Central Madrid's royal Hapsburg monasteries. In addition to an interesting church, cloister and collection of art, it contains a fascinating relics room that includes the miraculous blood of a saint.
History
The Monastery of the Incarnation was founded by Queen Margaret of Austria, wife of Philip III, in 1611 (the year the King James Bible was published in England). After a destructive fire, it was rebuilt by Ventura Rodriguez in 1767. The monastery is still active today, but the nuns stay out of sight during visiting hours.
What to See
As at the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, visits to the Monasterio de la Encarnación are by guided tours in Spanish only. The convent includes a nice cloister, a fine Baroque church with a frescoed ceiling (by Francisco Bayeu), and a large but not especially impressive collection of 17th-century art.
For many visitors, the highlight of La Encarnación is the reliquario (relics room), where a variety of relics of saints contained in gold and silver reliquaries are displayed. The most important and interesting of these is the blood of Saint Pantaleon, which is kept in a glass orb. Every year on July 26, the eve of his feast day, the blood is said to miraculously liquefy. If it does not, then disaster is sure to follow.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Monasterio de la Encarnación |
| Dedicated to: | Incarnation of Christ |
| Location: | Madrid, Madrid, Spain |
| Category: | Abbeys & Monasteries |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Order: | Recolet Augustines |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 1611 |
| Patron: | Margaret of Austria and Philip III |
| Architect: | Alberto de la Madre de Dios |
| Architecture: | Baroque |
| Features: | Miracle Site; Relics |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 40.420028° N, 3.71163° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Plaza de la Encarnación 1, 28013 Madrid, Spain |
| Phone: | 91-547-05-10 |
| Website: | www.patrimonionacional.es |
| Hours: | Tue-Thu, Sat: 10:30am-12:45pm and 4-5:45pm; Sun: 10:30-1:45pm |
| Cost: | €3.50 |
| Public transport: | Metro: Opera or Santo Domingo Bus: 25, 39, or 148 |
Travel Resources
- Madrid Map - our detailed interactive map of Madrid, plus hand-picked links to more
- Madrid Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Madrid
- Madrid Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Madrid Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Madrid Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Madrid Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Madrid
- Madrid Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Madrid Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Madrid tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Real Monasterio de la Encarnación - Spanish National Heritage
- Descalzas Reales and Encarnación convents - Rough Guide to Spain
- Monasterio de la Encarnación - Frommer's Madrid
- Royal Convent of La Encarnación - Wikipedia (July 2009)
Article last updated: 07/17/2009.
