Monastery of St. Clare of Moguer

Moguer, Spain

The Monastery of Santa Clara in Moguer is one of the most important examples of the mudejar architecture in occidental Andalusia. It was founded in 1337 by Sir Alonso Jofre Tenorio, an Admiral from Castile and his wife Lady Elvira Álvarez. It was a donation from Alfonso XI in 1333. It was for Franciscan- Clarisa Nuns.

The monastery was built in a place next to the villa called “Santa Clara Country”, which was integrated in the urban area thanks to the new urban tendency from the end of the 15th century and the growth of demographic population. During centuries, it had influence on the social, economic, cultural and religious life of the region.

Their patrons, “Los Portocarrero”, were connected to it; in fact, some feminine members of this family became members of the monacal community and the conventual church was a family Pantheon.

The fame and prestige achieved by the monastery made it a point of reference between the 14th and 17th centuries which was a period of expansion for other monasteries of the same religious order in Andalusia. Sister Inés Enriquez with other two sisters left the monastery in Moguer to join Maria Coronel in the foundation of the Monastery of Santa Inés in Seville in 1374. She also helped in the reforms of the Santa Clara Monastery in Cordoba with Sister Catalina de Figueroa, Sister Isabel Pacheco and Sister María de Toledo, a daughter of the Counts of La Puebla, and they also reformed the monastery of Santa Clara in Jaén.

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Founded: 1337
Category: Religious sites in Spain

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Mercedes Solis Carreño (8 months ago)
It is part of the Columbian route. The guided tour is at fixed times, 5 and 6 in the afternoon. The gate is closed and only opens to let visitors in. The guide, knowledgeable, but eager to end his visit soon. Very interesting building interior.
VICTOR MARTINEZ (13 months ago)
This monastery of Santa Clara de Moguer, in Mudejar Gothic style, is closely linked to the first voyages of Christopher Columbus (:Xpō) to the Americas, and was the object of a special devotion on his part, who prayed in its church on the night of the 16 March 1493 upon his return. An original letter from Columbus with his signature is displayed in one of the rooms of the monastery: below the initials of his ancestors of the House of Soutomaior, the abbreviation :Xpō FERENS./ (Yo: Xhristóbal Pedro Fernán Eanes). In this monastery are the tombs of the Portocarreiros, related to the House of Soutomaior to which Columbus belongs. In 1333 Alfonso XI granted the lordship of the town of Moguer to Alonso Jofre Tenorio e Soutomaior, high admiral of the sea, for many good services leading the king's fleet of galleys in various battles against Muslims and Portuguese. In the military field, he added to the reformed Castle of Moguer the Castle of San Fernando, on the borders of the manor with Palos, as a surveillance point at the entrance to the Rio Tinto. Alonso Jofre Tenorio e Soutomaior, I lord of Moguer, founded in 1337 the Convent of Corpus Christi and in 1338 this Monastery of Santa Clara, both Franciscans, and endowed them with numerous goods, exercising the trusteeship of both foundations. María Tenorio and Sánchez de Velasco, daughter of Alonso Jofre Tenorio and Soutomaior, and II Señora de Moguer, married Martín Fernández Portocarrero, I lord of Villanueva del Fresno, thus joining the two Houses. The manor continued to be linked to the House of Portocarrero, which enlarged it and made it part of a mortuary, reaching Xoán Portocarrero, IX Señor de Moguer, to obtain the title of grand of Spain in 1520, for the services rendered to the monarch Carlos I.
Pedro Moreno Gonzalez (15 months ago)
There are two ways to enjoy this magnificent building, a fundamental part of one of the most important historical events in Spain, the discovery of America. You can visit it on your own or sign up for the guided tours that you can hire. Without a doubt, I advise you to choose the second one. A spectacular guide who will tell you the history of this monastery, its inhabitants and its importance in the discovery of America. In a super enjoyable way you will tour all the rooms of the convent and soak up its history through the explanations and anecdotes that will make the tour very, very enjoyable.
Nuria Z A (2 years ago)
Great monastery in size and history since it had a relevant participation in the Columbian voyages. Sober architecture and decoration although it has some very special pieces in the choir and the church. Guided tours every hour on the hour (the last one at 2 pm). Excellent guide and explanations. It is advisable to confirm by phone as it is sometimes closed for private events.
Pedro Labrador (2 years ago)
Emblematic place in the center of Moguer and at the same recommended for your visit, also ideal for celebrations of all kinds of events
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