Santa Isabel convent
What a distinguished, pious lady founded when she widowed
This convent was founded in 1481 by Aldonza Ruiz de Barrientos, widow of the II Duke of Alba’s treasurer and, at the time, one of the most distinguished ladies in town. For many centuries, it was usual for noble or rich women to found their own convent when they were widowed and to become nuns, often becoming its abbess as well. Aldonza, who was piously devoted to Saint Francis, ascribed her convent to the Tertiary Franciscan order and dedicated it to Saint Isabel, although during the 16th century it was known as Our Lady’s or Mother of God’s convent. It was built where her own house had been, and she reserved for herself the privilege of being buried in the convent’s church. Only the church’s portal and the convent’s portal remain of the original building. Above the latter we can see the House of Alba coat of arms held by two savages.
The temple has a simple structure, typical of the mendicant orders, with a single nave and three areas: the choir, the main nave and the presbytery. This particular church also has a beautiful Renaissance funeral chapel, founded by Don Juan Gaytán. Other remarkable features are a 13th century Crucifixion, the stellar vault in the main chapel and the coffered, trussed rafter ceilings on the nave and the choir. There is also a magnificent 16th century cloister, boasting its share of House of Alba coats of arms, due to the House’s protection given to this and other Alba convents.