85Reviews2Q&A
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 45
- 33
- 7
- 0
- 0
Traveler type
Time of year
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
+1
The convent of Sta. Clara is a cloistered nuns one. It was built in the thirteenth century on the remains of an arabic building during the reign of the king James I, so-called “the Conqueror”. Due to its stated nature of cloistered nuns convent just the church can be visited. Therefore the subject matter of this review can just be the church itself. It's a pity that the rest of the convent may not be seen since apparently some of its parts are marvellous, such as several gothic tombs where some abbesses are buried. In order to get into the church one must first enter a small square through a splendid portal on the top of which there is a picture showing the image of the saint under a tile curved roof crowned by a stone cross. Once in the square it's noticeable that one of its most outstanding features is the peacefulness which can be felt there. It's a nice square, the church being on the opposite side of the stated portal. The convent finds itself on the right hand side of the entrance to the square and on the opposite side there are private dwelling-houses whose occupants must feel in heaven as they have the luck to live in such a peaceful atmosphere. The church is an attractive building despite the soberness of its façade. The latter is in late renaissance style and the sculptures and carvings framing the church entrance door are practically the sole architectural ornaments existing on there. They are beautiful. A window above the door itself and a shelter over that window as well as some artistically ornamented openings on the top under the roof are also attractive elements. The bell tower is a rather peculiar element of the church outer part. It's square shaped and located at the front part of the building with a view to the little square. It's concretely on the left side corner of the said building part as one looks at the façade from the square, as a prolongation of the main building so that the relevant edge is common to both the tower and the rest of the edifice. There is a square terrace, larger that the tower itself, in the middle of which the belfry stands. The terrace is surrounded by a nice balustrade. Inside the building, the architectural style is not apparently clearly defined. It's a single nave church in which one may observe that most of its vault is of a barrel type with the exception of a small section which has a groined vaulted ceiling thus reflecting light beautifully while adding depth and movement to the space. Besides, the arches between the nave and the side chapels are semicircular, which, as known, is a typical feature of romanesque style. The interior is in general rather austere. Notwithstanding that, there are some beautiful elements such as the gilded high altarpiece and the Crucifixion side chapel. In the former one can see an image of the saint to whom the church is dedicated in a niche flanked outside it by four saints, two on each side of the niche. Above the latter, in another segment of the altarpiece, there is a smaller niche containing an image of the Virgin flanked by statues portraying St. Francis and another saint. All those figures form a marvellous ensemble located at the back of the fantastic apse with plateresque style walls. There is a nice mural painting depicting the Assumption of the Virgin on the wall below the organ platform balustrade, and other paintings hanging on walls among which that showing the Adoration of the Shepherds is outstanding. It's by and large an interesting church worth being visited mainly to have the possibility to feel the peaceful atmosphere both inside and outside the building. That atmosphere may pervade the heart of anyone being there thus being able to make him have a sentiment of relaxation and, should the occasion arise, of recollection.…
Read more
Date of experience: October 2019
Helpful
We visited after reading in a guide book about the tradition of buying biscuits made by nuns by means of a sort of "lazy Susan" cupboard. We liked the small church, which had a holy atmosphere, and the process of buying the biscuits, but the ones we chose, the lemon flavour, were extremely hard and tasteless. The paper bag and paper box which the biscuits arrived in were nicely done.…
Read more
Date of experience: February 2020
Helpful
This little convent is a simple but beautiful church that is such a peaceful place to sit for a few minutes to contemplate. Has some beautiful side chapels that you must look at. Do take a few minutes to find this place and help towards the running of the place by popping a few coins in the box.…
Read more
Date of experience: October 2019
Helpful
+1
Already last year we came here after we read about the Convento de Santa Clara in a guide book. The church is dark, with old paintings at the walls- peaceful and spiritually. As far as I read, the community of nuns is very small and they live from things that they plant in their gardens behind, which aren'topen for guests, from donations and the sweets that they sell. Sadly I've not been there around christmas, when they offer even more things. But all around the year, one can buy selfmade chocolate bars and cookies. Now in summertime, they also sold ice cream. It's just a nice experience the way how you buy the things, as the nuns don't show themselves. Who loves quiet special places should defenitely go there! …
Read more
Date of experience: October 2019
Helpful
We arrived during a mass - such a lovely place - wonderful singing - beautiful inside - worth finding
Read more
Date of experience: October 2019
Helpful
