Museo Conventual de las Descalzas

About the museum

The Museo Conventual de las Descalzas in Antequera opened on 16 October 1999 and displays the artistic treasure that the community of Carmelite nuns has preserved for centuries in the convent of San José. The visit begins at the reception point and allows visitors to enter the church directly, a jewel of Antequera Baroque for its proportions and spatial design, whose high altar is attributed to Francisco Primo.

From the sacristy you go up to the rooms on the upper floor. The Sala de la Tribuna brings together sculptures, including a bust of the Dolorosa by Pedro de Mena, and canvases from the workshop of Antonio Mohedano. The Sala de Nicola Fumo houses the Immaculate Conception and the Saint Joseph that this Neapolitan sculptor made in 1705, as well as silverwork such as the Custodia de la Fundadora (the Foundress's monstrance), dated 1654, and a reliquary with an autograph letter by Santa Teresa de Jesús dated 1577.

The Sala del Nacimiento houses the Belén de las Descalzas, a nativity scene set in the Antequera acropolis and dominated by the Alcazaba, with a sculpted group (misterio) by the Quito-born Manuel Caspicara and terracotta figures from Seville, Granada and Antequera workshops. The Sala de Santa Teresa focuses on a canvas by Luca Giordano, and numerous Christ Child figures (niñojesuses) from the 18th and 19th centuries are displayed in the upper gallery of the small cloister.

Highlights

• Baroque church with high altar attributed to Francisco Primo
• Bust of the Dolorosa by Pedro de Mena
• Immaculate Conception and Saint Joseph by Nicola Fumo (1705)
• Belén de las Descalzas with the Antequera acropolis
• Autograph letter by Santa Teresa de Jesús (1577)
• Collection of Christ Child figures in the small cloister

Permanent exhibitions

• Colección permanente de arte sacro – Sculptures, paintings and silverwork from the 17th and 18th centuries preserved by the Carmelites, spread across the Tribuna, Nicola Fumo and Santa Teresa rooms.
• Belén de las Descalzas – Christmas scenography of the Antequera acropolis with the Alcazaba, a sculpted group (misterio) by Manuel Caspicara of Quito and terracotta figures.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Comunidad de Carmelitas Descalzas del convento de San José

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition rooms are on the upper floor and are reached by a staircase from the sacristy.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre of Antequera, in the convent of San José, next to the church of San José.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit