Convent of Las Comendadoras de Santiago

Located in the square of the same name, this monastery of nuns of the Military Order of Santiago was founded by King Phillip IV in 1650. Designed by the architects Manuel and José del Olmo, its most notable element is undoubtedly the church, with a Greek cross floor plan and outer sections in a semi-circle, a beautiful dome over pendentives and pillars chamfered in the centre.

The façade consists of an entry portico formed by three rounded arches flanked by two towers. The upper niche holds an interesting group of sculptures that represents Santiago Matamoros. The facilities of the convent, that for over a century consisted simply of some houses around the church, were reorganized by Francisco Sabatini in 1773.

The property was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in the category of Monument in 1970.

The second phase of the building’s restoration was completed in 2022, which included structural consolidation works and the restoration of the church, the entrance and the Convent’s towers in order to be opened to the general public.

The church was reopened in autumn 2024.