Monastery of the Cartuja and the Monastery of San Jeronimo in Granada

Queen Isabel was truly enamoured of Granada. She set herself the task of evangelising the newly conquered territory by founding monasteries and convents throughout the city.

The Monastery of Cartuja in Granada, also known as the Monastery of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, is one of the finest examples of Spanish and Andalusian Baroque architecture. The monastery boasts a large art collection, and the paintings of the Carthusian monk Juan Sánchez Cotán.

In 1516, construction work recommenced and would last for three centuries. Only a portion of the original building has been conserved, as certain sections were destroyed, and it remained inhabited up until 1835.

The Monastery of San Jerónimo is an outstanding jewel of the Renaissance. Formed by the church and monastery, it dates back to before the Christian conquest of the city. It construction is attributed to the Catholic Monarchs.
The church features a Latin cross floor plan, boasting an elevated choir at its west end and an altar stands behind the wide staircase. Its elaborate high altar is decorated with images of saints, heroes, mythical characters, angels and historical figures.

The monastery features two cloisters with gardens. The first boasts predominantly Renaissance decoration. The second, now enclosed, pertaining to the Hieronymites, served as the residence of Isabella of Portugal on her honeymoon following her wedding to Emperor Charles V.

The temple is the first in the world devoted to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.