1 Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
2 Museo de América
3 Museo Lázaro Galdiano
4 Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
5 Museo Sorolla
6 Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
7 Palacio Real
8 Parque del Retiro
9 Plaza Mayor
10 El Prado
Visit this 16th-century convent, still a closed order, not just to admire the notable art collection, but also to soak up the medieval atmosphere.
Behind the austere brick and stone façade, some 25 brown-robed nuns go about their quiet daily life. Opening hours are limited, so expect to queue. Groups are ushered in 20 at a time for a basic tour of the convent, which was founded in 1559 by Juana de Austria, daughter of Carlos V. The convent houses the Descalzas Reales (Barefoot Royal Sisters), women who initially came from the royal family and nobility (modern nuns are generally of humbler origin). As a dowry, each brought fine religious works of art by European masters such as Titian, Brueghel the Elder, van Eyck and Zurbarán.
You begin the tour in the cloisters, then climb the massive staircase past walls painted by Ximénez Donoso and Claudio Coello. The broad stone balustrade is carved from a single piece of granite. At the top, Felipe IV and the rest of the royal family look down at you from their painted balcony. All around the upper cloister are 16 elaborate chapels, the most important of which is dedicated to Virgen de Guadelupe. Don't miss the doll's house-like altar in one corner, designed to teach children about the sacred vessels used during mass. In what was the nuns' dormitory is the Salón de Tapices, hung with sumptuous Flemish tapestries based on Rubens' cartoons. Peek out of the window at the kitchen garden, which is still tended by the sisters, even though they are overlooked by office blocks.Address: Plaza de las Descalzas Reales 3
Phone: 91 542 00 59
Open: Tue-Sat 10:30-12:30, 4-5:30, Sun, public hols 11-1:45. Closed Fri pm, all day Mon
Restaurant: Plenty near by (Inexpensive)
Bus: All routes to Puerta del Sol
Metro: Callao, Sol, Opera
Accessible: None
Admission: Cheap; free Wed to EU citizens
Other: Puerta del Sol
Practical: Visit by tour only, tours every 20 min, duration 45 min
Info: Plaza Mayor 3 Phone: 91 588 16 36
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