Monastery of St. Jerome

History of the Monastery of St. Jerome

The Hieronymite monks began living in the monastery in 1521 and remained there until Mendizábal's confiscation (1835), when it was converted into barracks.

In the 1960s, it was once again ceded to the Order of St. Jerome, and, following a process of restoration and renovation, it resumed its original function. It is now occupied by a community of Hieronymite nuns who, coming from the nearby Monastery of Santa Paula—which has since been converted into a hotel—moved to San Jerónimo in 1977.

What to See at the Monastery of San Jerónimo

A tour of the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada offers visitors the chance to see the Compás, the Processional Cloister, the refectory, the Profundis Hall, two chapter houses, the sacristy, and the church.

At the Compás, which serves as a transition between the bustle of the city and the silence of the monastery, we can admire, among other things, themagnificent n façade of the church, designed by Diego de Siloé, Martín Díaz de Navarrete, and Pedro de Orea.

The Processional or Main Cloister, built in the Gothic style, was the area where the monks spent most of their time at the monastery. From this cloister, we can see—though we cannot enter, as it is a restricted area where the Hieronymite nuns live—the so-called Empress’s Cloister.

This name refers to the fact that it was here where, in 1526, Isabel of Portugal—the wife of Charles I of Spain and V of Germany—resided for most of the time she spent in Granada.

In the sacristy stands the *Niño Jesús de las Batallas*, the statue that accompanied the Great Captain on his many victorious military campaigns.

From the“ ” Processional Cloister, you can enter the impressive church of the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

Among many other works of art, we can admire its Main Chapel, commissioned in the Renaissance style by Doña María de Manrique, Duchess of Sessa, to serve as a mausoleum for her husband, the Great Captain. It was built by Diego de Siloé, following the design previously proposed by Jacobo Florentino.

We can also admire the beautiful Mannerist altarpiece, which was created by such important artists as Juan de Aragón, Lázaro de Velasco, Pedro de Orea, Pedro de Raxis, Bernabé de Gaviria, Vázquez el Mozo, and Rojas, among others.

You can now purchase your ticket to the Monastery of San Jerónimo online through the official ticket sales website of the Archdiocese of Granada. Book your visit to this wonderful Christian monument today.

Author: Joaquín Martínez