Madre de Dios Convent

It was founded in 1525, of the Order of Santo Domingo, cloistered Dominican nuns. Its foundation is due to a premonitory fact of divine inspiration, since it was observed, according to Moreti, how dozens of pigeons constantly flocked to a small lagoon near the Old Bridge, that is why said convent of this Order was built in that place, whose habits are the same as the plumage of the pigeons that were seen. For a long time this religious institution appeared as one of the most opulent monasteries in our city, which collected large incomes, in addition to an important number of components that exceeded one hundred. It was reformed in the 18th century, to become a School in the 20th century. Currently it remains closed and without any use. Located in the Barrio de Padre Jesús, its buildings are grouped around two patios, the first one is accessed from the street through a stone doorway, with a semicircular arch between pilasters, with the line of imposts highlighted and finished with pediment with pinnacles and shield of the Dominican order on the tympanum. The second patio has galleries on its four fronts, with double arches, on the lower floor with semicircular brick arches, framed by alfiz, turned over Doric marble columns, and on the upper floor carpanel arches, segmented on Doric columns, framed by alfiz. Mudejar elements abound, along with Gothic, Elizabethan and Renaissance elements. A continuous frieze runs through the cloister decorated with lace and framed with classical eggs. It has two very interesting entrance doors to the chapter rooms. It preserves a church with a single nave, covered with a barrel vault, which hides Mudejar wooden armor, with remains in the choir. The polychrome wooden altarpiece, with stipes and Solomonic columns decorated with leaves and vines, from 1732 is also very interesting. The tower is located at the foot, with a square base and topped with an angular belfry with semicircular arches.