Real Monasterio de la Encarnación
Royal convent of Augustinian Recollect nuns from the early 17th century, with a neoclassical church, paintings and a reliquary of about 700 pieces.
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About the museum
The Real Monasterio de la Encarnación was founded in 1611 by Queen Margaret of Austria, wife of Philip III, as a cloistered convent of Augustinian Recollect nuns. The building is the work of the architect Juan Gómez de Mora and of Friar Alberto de la Madre de Dios, and is considered a model of Madrid Baroque. From its origins it maintained close ties with the Crown, and today it is run by Patrimonio Nacional.
The church was decorated between 1755 and 1775 by Ventura Rodríguez in the neoclassical style. In the monastery's rooms there is a collection of painting and sculpture with works by Lucas Jordán, Juan van der Hammen, Vicente Carducho, Gregorio Fernández and Pedro de Mena, as well as furniture and sacred art from different periods.
One of its treasures is the reliquary, which holds the relic of Saint Pantaleon and about 700 pieces made of bronze, coral, ivory and fine woods from Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. The ensemble was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1994. The visit, which is always guided, goes round its main rooms, including the reliquary.
Highlights
- Reliquary with the relic of Saint Pantaleon and about 700 pieces of bronze, coral, ivory and fine woods
- Church decorated by Ventura Rodríguez between 1755 and 1775 in the neoclassical style
- Madrid Baroque architecture by Juan Gómez de Mora and Friar Alberto de la Madre de Dios
- Works by Lucas Jordán, Vicente Carducho, Gregorio Fernández and Pedro de Mena
- Guided visit of about 50 minutes in a royal cloistered convent
Permanent exhibition
- Visita guiada al monasterio y su relicario – Guided tour of the main rooms of the royal convent, with the church by Ventura Rodríguez, the collection of painting and sculpture and the reliquary of Saint Pantaleon.
- Founded
- 1611
- Operated by
- Patrimonio Nacional
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 4 · Free admission for under-5s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with a disability of 33% or more and one companion if stated on the card or resolution; accredited at the ticket office on the day of the visit. |
| Groups | €8 per personTourist groups with an official guide and travel agencies: €8 per person. Cultural groups: €9. Educational groups: €9 per person plus a €10 booking management fee. |
| Families | –Free admission for members of large families with accreditation. |
Free admission: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 16:00 to 18:30 all year round (ticket office only and with accreditation) for citizens of the European Union, residents with a work permit and Ibero-American citizens; 18 May and 12 October.
Online purchase adds €0.77 handling per ticket. Free admission, with accreditation, is also available to members of ICOM and ICOMOS, official tourist guides, practising teaching staff and unemployed people. The guided visit is included in the price, and the online offer is in Spanish only. The Bono Cultural Joven is accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- 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 official ticket sales page states that there is currently no access for people with disabilities. It is advisable to check with Patrimonio Nacional before the visit.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ópera (metro, líneas 2, 5 y R)
Metro: Ópera (lines 2, 5 and the R branch), Santo Domingo (line 2) and Sol (lines 1, 2 and 3). Cercanías: Madrid-Sol. EMT buses with a nearby stop, including lines 1, 2, 3, 25, 39, 44, 46, 62, 74, 75, 133, 138, 146, 147, 148 and 158.
Nearby BiciMAD stations: Plaza de la Encarnación, 3; Plaza de Santo Domingo, 1; and Calle de Santa Clara, 8 (Palacio de Oriente).
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The monastery can only be visited on a guided tour of about 50 minutes, included in the admission. Tickets are bought online or at the ticket office while places remain. Educational and tourist groups book in advance. |
