The Convent of the Salesas Reales is an 18th-century architectural complex in central
Madrid
Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the Largest cities of the Europ ...
, Spain. Formerly a convent, specifically the convent of the Visitación de Nuestra Señora (
Visitation of Our Lady), it was constructed and occupied by the
Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary
, image = Salesas-escut.gif
, size = 175px
, abbreviation = V.S.M.
, nickname = Visitandines
, motto =
, formation =
, founder = Saint Bishop Francis de ...
, which had been founded by
St. Francis de Sales
Francis de Sales (french: François de Sales; it, Francesco di Sales; 21 August 156728 December 1622) was a Bishop of Geneva and is revered as a saint in the Catholic Church. He became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach to ...
and
St Jeanne de Chantal. The
convent's church (dedicated to St Barbara) is now a parish church, and the remainder of the complex houses the
Supreme Court of Spain.
History
The convent was founded in 1748 by Queen
Barbara of Portugal
Barbara of Portugal (Maria Madalena Bárbara Xavier Leonor Teresa Antónia Josefa; 4 December 1711 – 27 August 1758) was an Infanta of Portugal, and a Queen of Spain by marriage to Ferdinand VI of Spain.
Life Princess of Portugal
The marriage ...
, the wife of King
Ferdinand VI
, house = Bourbon-Anjou
, father = Philip V of Spain
, mother = Maria Luisa of Savoy
, birth_date = 23 September 1713
, birth_place = Royal Alcazar of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
, death_date =
, death_place = Villavic ...
as a school and home for young noble women. She not only sought to establish a convent, but also a convenient place where she could retire. The convent was designed by
François Carlier, construction being started in 1743; the original plans were modified and completed by 1750 by
Francisco Moradillo. In 1870, the nuns were evicted, and the building converted in the Palace of Justice. During the twentieth century, the palace-convent suffered two fires, and required restoration by
Joaquín Roji. The stairwell at the entrance was completed in 1930, opening to the new Barbara de Braganza street. The
Tribunal de Orden Público had its headquarters in the Convent from 1963 till 1977.
The present building has a muted exterior compared to the original 18th century design, which while adhering to
Neoclassic love of balanced and rigorous design, also was overflowing with decorative elements such as pilasters and lintels on every floor. In addition, unlike many convents, this building was full of windows. The convent commissioned by the Queen was derided in its time with the lines:
:''Bárbara Reina; bárbara obra; bárbaro gusto; bárbaro gasto.''
which translates to:
:''Barbara Queen, barbarous work; barbarous taste; barbarous waste (expense).''
[''Art in Spain and Portugal'', by Marcel Dieulafoy, Charles Scribner's Sons (1913).]
Church
The church contains the funeral monuments for Ferdinand VI and his wife
Bárbara de Braganza (Barbara of Portugal). The church and the convent are separately listed as
''bienes de interés cultural''.
References
External links
Website of the Supreme CourtWebsite of the Parish of Santa Bárbara
{{Coord, 40, 25, 28.3, N, 3, 41, 37.94, W, type:landmark_region:ES, display=inline,title
Salesas Reales
Bien de Interés Cultural landmarks in Madrid
Convents in Spain
National supreme court buildings