Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales: A Madrid Landmark

The Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Visitación, known as Las Descalzas Reales, was founded in 1559 by Juana de Austria, widow of Prince Juan Manuel of Portugal and sister of King Philip II of Spain. The foundation was established on the site of an ancient palace.

The transformation of the former palace into a convent began under the direction of Diego Sillero, with the church itself being concluded in 1564. The design of the church is attributed to Juan Bautista de Toledo, with Francesco Paciotto potentially contributing to its plans.

Juana de Austria, the founder, died in 1573 and was initially buried provisionally in the monastery. Her final burial place was designed by Juan de Herrera, with work beginning in 1574, and features a statue by Pompeo Leoni.

In 1580, María de Austria, widow of Emperor Maximilian II, moved into the monastery with her thirteen-year-old daughter, Margarita. María died in the monastery in 1603 and was later moved to a more luxurious tomb in the church choir.

Composer Tomás Luis de Victoria served at the monastery from at least 1587 until his death in 1611, initially as a chaplain and later as an organist.

A significant fire in 1862 damaged the monastery's church, destroying Gaspar Becerra's altarpiece and ceiling paintings. Restoration efforts took place, including replacing the roof tiles with slate.

Following the 1862 fire, the monastery's main altarpiece was replaced in 1863 with one from the former Novitiate of the Jesuits. This new altarpiece, originally created in 1716 for the beatification of Juan Francisco Régis, features marbles, gilded bronzes, and paintings by Miguel Ángel Houasse.

During the Spanish Civil War, the monastery's community was displaced, but the artworks were protected. The building sustained damage from bombings, particularly to the staircase vault and choir.

Restoration work occurred during the Spanish Civil War, including replacing roof tiles. After the war, the nuns returned, and further restoration and consolidation took place in the mid-20th century due to nearby subway construction.

The monastery was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in Spain on February 18, 1994, recognizing its historical and artistic importance.

The structure is described as a 16th-century classicist building, housing significant works of art within its interior.

The monastery accumulated a significant art treasure over the years due to important gifts and donations from women of the royal family and high aristocracy who entered the community.

Juana de Austria's will stipulated her burial within the monastery, in a funerary chapel to be designed by royal architect Juan de Herrera, with work beginning in 1574.

María de Austria, who spent her final years in the monastery, requested to be buried at the foot of the Altar of the Garden of Olives. Her remains were later moved to a more elaborate tomb in the church choir by Philip III.

Following the death of Sor Mariana de la Cruz in 1715, King Philip V issued a Royal Decree granting the perpetual title of Grande de España to all abbesses of Las Descalzas.

The interior architectural aspect of the church, despite its earlier construction, corresponds to a remodeling carried out in the mid-18th century by Diego de Villanueva.

The cloister underwent modifications in 1679 when the upper arcades were closed, and again in 1773 under Charles III, when the lower part was similarly enclosed, transforming the open cloister corridor into a closed gallery.

The Capilla del Milagro was built at the behest of Juan José de Austria to house the 'Virgen del Milagro' panel. It features illusionistic decoration and was designed with participation from Dionisio Mantuano and Francisco Rizi.

The main double-flight staircase, built around 1525, features mural decorations likely executed between 1658 and 1661, possibly by court painters influenced by Italian artists Mitelli and Colonna.

The monastery is designated as a historical monument (Monumento BIC) in Spain, with its inscription year listed as 1994 and February 18, 1994.

The monastery is recognized for housing important works of art, including pieces from royal families and aristocracy, contributing to its historical and cultural value.