Real Monasterio de Santa Ana, Badajoz, Spain

Real Monasterio de Santa Ana is the headquarters of the Order of St. Clare in Badajoz and lies in the heart of the old city. It was founded in 1518 by Ms. Leonor de Vega i Figueroa, under the blessing of Pope Leo X, and belonged to the jurisdiction of the Franciscan province of San Miguel. According to the tombstone in the grounds, Figueroa was abbess of the monastery for forty years until her death on April 17, 1558. She was buried in the grounds, until moved to the Cripta Real del Monasterio de El Escorial.

The monastery underwent a major transformation in the 18th century although the original structure partly remains. Outwardly, part of the building has buttresses and a tower with two bells. On the vault of the chancel stands a lookout tower with a lattice brick convent, topped with pinnacles. The church of the monastery has a single nave which was rebuilt in the late 17th century, and the presbytery is covered by a late Gothic rib vault dated to the first half of the 16th century. The church contains numerous altarpieces, imagery, paintings, and silverware.

References:

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Religious sites in Spain

User Reviews

juan Moreno (22 months ago)
We have visited it with the Friends of Badajoz association, the site is beautiful, full of history and works of art, the explanations take you through the history of our city and the education and kindness of the sisters is moving. Don't forget to buy some sweets, the Santa Clara yolks are a delight.

Ana Castano Garcia (2 years ago)
Always willing to help others. In an incomparable setting of history and treasures kept in its Royal Monastery. The petitions addressed to the Poor Clares sisters are heard from humility. Excellent artisan sweets.

Manuelka Najuzasnejsia (5 years ago)
We were able to see some parts inside. Beautiful. And the sweets that the nuns make are delicious.

Elena de Mánuel (5 years ago)
The wine hearts are the best I've ever eaten. A convent sweet that must be tried, delicious. They also have many other sweets at a very good price, such as the typical perrunillas. They have a website and Facebook page that they continually update with the timetables of the lathe, the prices of the sweets or the times of the masses.

Francisco Javier Zamora Rodríguez (6 years ago)
It is not usually open to the public. The number of figures, paintings and various objects that they have kept since the 15th century is incredible. The patio is beautiful and very well maintained. It's a shame, as I have already mentioned, that it cannot be visited except in exceptional situations. If the store where they make artisanal sweets is open.

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