The Cistercian Monastery of the Holy Cross in Casarrubios del Monte was founded in 1633 by Alonso de Ojea and María Rodríguez, noble and devout neighbors of the town. The founding of the convent took place under difficult circumstances, since the couple lost a crucial lawsuit that affected part of the property destined for the work. Despite the initial economic difficulties, the convent prospered rapidly under the leadership of Mother María Evangelista Quintero Malfaz, born in Cigales (Valladolid) in 1591, who became the first abbess in 1634. The original building, in the Toledo Mudejar style with Herrerian influences and Baroque touches, has undergone several restorations and enlargements, the last of which was the restoration of the façade in 1985 by the architect Luis Colomo, who respected and enhanced its historical dignity.
The interior of the monastery maintains a simple but functional Cistercian structure, with the cloister in the center, the chapter house, kitchen and refectory on the first floor, and the cells, library and archives on the second floor. The church, the only original part of the foundation that remains, houses a large painting of the Assumption by Juana Pérez Aguilera in 1978, as well as images of St. Benedict and St. Bernard that were acquired later. Among the most outstanding artistic elements is the small painting known as “Cristo de la Sangre”, which owes its name to a story linked to local devotion. The community of nuns is dedicated to the artisanal production of sweets and preserves, following both traditional and innovative recipes, thanks to classes taught by renowned chefs. The monastery is a living testimony of Cistercian history and spirituality, and its founder, Mother Maria Evangelista, is currently in the process of beatification.
- Address
C. Monjas, 1, 45950 Casarrubios del Monte, Toledo - Web
None - Visiting Hours
Unknown - What to see
Cristo de la Sangre
