Charterhouse of Jerez

Charterhouse of Jerez

History

(also known Charterhouse of Santa María de la Defensión)

This monument is located at Jerez outskirts and it is the most important monument in the province. The construction began in 15th century and it was finished in 17th century, it has a gothic and renaissance styles. It was declared Spanish Property of Cultural Interest and Spanish government as a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1856 when only 12 monuments had that designation.

The construction of this monument is due to jerezano knight Álvaro Obertos de Valeto, who after the Jerez conquest by Alfonso X and die without offspring, he left his fortune to establish a Carthusian monastery in the city.

In 1475, it was decided the location of the monastery. The monastery is located next to the Guadalete River, where the Salado Battle occurred that according to the legend, the Virgin Mary helped to the conquest. In that place, it was built a hermitage which was called Santa María de la Defensión and then the monastery adopted its name.

Exterior description

The entry to the monastery enclosure is renaissance style and was built by Andrés de Ribera in 1571. It is a big triumphal arch, decorated with coat of arms, fretwork windows, and glazed ceramic hemispheres.

The church facade was built in the 17th century and is baroque style. It is created in two body overlapping of Corinthian columns and curved entablature, resting on the base set and shields decorated with floral themes. Also, it exists a third body smaller than the others and with vases, pilasters and friezes.

Interior description

We have to highlight the choir stalls which are carved in wood and were finished in 1550.

The altarpiece is Flemish style and it was made by the best artists of that age as Alejandro de Saavedra, José de Arce and Francisco Zurbarán.

We have to highlight also, the paintings that were painted by Francisco Zurbarán to the sanctuary walls. Currently, the paintings are in a museum in Cádiz.

In the monastery subsoil exist many galleries and tunnels which nowadays are unknown the construction year and the use that was given in that time. Due to that, there are many legends of these tunnels.

Visit

Worship schedules: Every Tuesday and Saturday at 8:15 am, Sunday and Monday at 17:30. Schedules before feast days: Tuesday to Saturday at 18:00 and Sunday at 17:00. Feasts days are closed.

Visit to the gardens from 7:00 to 18:00.

The visit to interior has to be concerted

Contact and location

Road Jerez - Algeciras, Kilometre 5

 956156465 - 956156683