The Incredible Monasterio de San Jerónimo (Granada)

The Monasterio de San Jerónimo (Monastery of St. Jerome) is little known to most visitors coming to Granada. But it should be seen, it’s actually one of the most incredible buildings in Granada. You should also know that, if you plan it right, you can see the monastery for free (all about that later).

The Monastery was approved by Catholic Monarchs Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon following the Reconquista of Granada in 1492. Construction started in 1504 under the leadership of Jacopo Torni but, after his death in 1526, Diego de Siloé became the principal architect. He changed the Gothic aesthetic, continuing the construction in Renaissance style*.

*in the 1520’s, Gothic was out and Renaissance was the new mode. Siloé also took over the construction of Granada Cathedral which was built at the same time. There also he changed the style to Renaissance.

Completed, the Hieronymite monks moved into the monastery in 1521. It was their home for almost 300 years, their stay coming to an end when Napoleonic troops took over the building, expelling the monks and using it as barracks.

In 1967 the monastery was returned to the Order of Saint Jerome. Monks still inhabit part of the complex today (the first cloister is open to the public, the second cloister is part of where the monks live).

The Highlights of the Monasterio de San Jerónimo

It’s a huge building, most of it not open to viewing. Once you go through the ticket office, you enter the first cloister. Around the cloister are rooms adorned with religious art and paintings. All very impressive.

But the highlight is the incredible church that lies on one side of the cloister. It will blow your mind away. Planned by Diego de Siloé, seemingly every inch is decorated by mouldings and art. The Altarpiece is a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance and Andalusian Mannerism. It was made between 1570 and 1605 by some of Spain’s most famous sculptors and is dedicated to Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba: the ¨Great Captain¨ who led the capture of Granada and negotiated the surrender of the Moors (he also spoke Arabic). He and his wife are buried in a crypt at the base of the steps leading to the altar.

Seeing the Monasterio de San Jerónimo for Free

I´ve mentioned it previously: you can see many of Granada´s highlights for free, it just needs a bit of pre-planning.

Just go to this website. There are 6 attractions listed there (the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel, Cartuja Monastery, the Abbey of Sacromonte, the Monastery of San Jerónimo, and the Church of Saint Nicolas). We were able to book all 6 attractions for free. Try to plan ahead at least 3 weeks in advance.

Choose the attraction(s) you want to see, check the available dates, fill out your information. Then reserve (Note: sometimes it doesn´t work, the site doesn´t give you available dates. Come back and try again another time).