MapIn the very heart of Granada’s historic centre rises the Monastery of San Jerónimo, one of the true gems of the Spanish Renaissance. Founded by the Catholic Monarchs to house the hermits of Saint Jerome, it soon became a religious, artistic and symbolic landmark of the new Christian city that emerged after the conquest of 1492.
In the church’s High Chapel lie the remains of the Great Captain, Don Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, alongside those of his wife, the Duchess of Sessa. Some of the most prominent figures of 16th- and 17th-century art contributed to its construction, including Jacobo Florentino, Diego de Siloé, Pedro de Orea and Pablo de Rojas.
History of the Monastery of San Jerónimo
The Monastery of San Jerónimo was founded by the Catholic Monarchs in Santa Fe, the very place where they had established their military camp during the final campaign against the Nasrid kingdom of Granada. However, the site soon proved unsuitable: the presence of troops and their horses had left the area unhealthy, plagued by fleas, foul conditions and marshy ground that became a breeding place for disease and death. For this reason, once Granada had been conquered, it was decided that the monastery should be moved to the new capital.
The first Jeronymite settlement in Granada was located in the former mosque of Maharoch, also known as the Hermitage of the Burnt One—today the site of the Hospital of San Juan de Dios—on an estate known as the House and Garden of el Nublo, once belonging to the Nasrid sultans. These properties, along with others from the Almazda quarter (now Calle San Jerónimo), were granted to the Order of Saint Jerome by the Catholic Monarchs.
In 1504, however, an epidemic forced the monks to relocate to a neighbouring carmen, probably the orchard of Dar Ibn-Murdi. It was on this land that construction of the monastery began, and where the community would eventually establish its permanent home in Granada.
In 1518, Jacobo Florentino initiated work on the church. After his death, the project passed to Diego de Siloé—newly arrived in Granada and simultaneously overseeing the construction of the Cathedral—who completed the structure and gave the temple its distinctive Renaissance character.
The monastery’s large cloister was finished in 1519, and a year later the second courtyard was completed, later known as the Cloister of Empress Isabella. Its name commemorates the visit of the newly married Charles V and Isabella of Portugal to Granada. During their stay, a series of earthquakes damaged the Alhambra, prompting the Empress to seek refuge in what she considered the safer monastery. She occupied the cloister with her entourage—and it was there that she conceived the future Philip II.
The monks moved into the new building in 1521.
In 1522, the High Chapel was completed, conceived as the funerary chapel of the Great Captain, Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba. His remains, along with those of his wife, Doña María de Manrique, and several relatives, did not arrive until some thirty years later, when they were transferred from the Convent of San Francisco. Their epitaph and kneeling effigies can still be seen today at the foot of the High Altarpiece.
The tombs, however, were desecrated during the Napoleonic invasion. The remains that could be recovered were gathered by the Provincial Academy of Fine Arts and subsequently sent to the National Pantheon of Illustrious Spaniards in Madrid. In 1874 they were returned to Granada and reinstated in their original location.
An unexpected twist came in 2006, when research by the Andalusian Institute for Historical Heritage revealed that the preserved remains did not, in fact, belong to the Great Captain or his family. Their true whereabouts remain a historical mystery.
The Napoleonic invasion also led to the plundering of the church, which was converted into a granary. The ironwork was melted down, the sacristy destroyed, and the upper part of the bell tower demolished to supply materials for the Green Bridge over the River Genil, linking the Paseo de la Bomba with Avenida Cervantes.
In the early 20th century, the monastery suffered a fire that severely damaged the third courtyard and the upper gallery of the second.
The Jeronymite monks remained at the monastery until the disentailment decreed by Mendizábal in 1835, after which the complex was converted into military barracks.
The first restoration efforts began in 1958, with the initial cleaning works. A year earlier, the original entrance portal—sold during the disentailment and later rediscovered at the Casería de la Cruz—had already been recovered. These early interventions marked the beginning of a long and sustained restoration process.
The most decisive works took place in the 1960s. In 1962, the second cloister, the Cloister of Empress Isabella, was reconstructed, and in 1963 the tower was restored. At the same time, the ensemble was enriched with architectural elements salvaged from vanished buildings of Granada, restoring its monumental character. Among the most notable additions were the pillar from the prior’s house of the Charterhouse, a coffered ceiling from the Carmen de los Mártires, and the portal of the Correo Viejo.
Finally, in the late 1960s, the monastery was formally returned to the Order of Saint Jerome. After years of restoration and renewal, the community of Jeronymite nuns settled permanently in the complex in 1977, restoring religious life to this historic site.
Description
The visit to the monastery begins at its outer façade, an elegant Mannerist work crafted by Pedro de Orea in 1590. Passing through it, the visitor enters the compás, from which the two cloisters and the church unfold.
The main cloister was the heart of monastic life. Its entrance, shared with the church, is reached through a Doric portal carved by Martín Navarrete in 1594. The lower gallery, Gothic in spirit, is composed of thirty-six semicircular arches resting on capitals adorned with vegetal motifs. At the central arches on each side, emblems, coats of arms and the initials of the Catholic Monarchs recall the monastery’s foundational origins. The upper gallery features depressed arches resting on short columns, with Gothic-style parapets.
The second cloister, known as the Cloister of Empress Isabella, harmoniously blends Gothic, Mudejar and Renaissance elements. Its ground floor presents seven arches on each side, supported by columns with capitals and impost blocks that evoke the Arab tradition. The upper level, originally decorated with flattened arches and Gothic mouldings, was lost in the fire of 1927 but faithfully reconstructed in 1965.
The church, originally conceived in a restrained Gothic style, acquired an entirely different character when Jacobo Florentino and later Diego de Siloé took charge of the project. They endowed the temple with its unmistakable Renaissance imprint, transforming it into one of the finest examples of the Renaissance in Spain.
Its layout follows a Latin-cross plan, with a single nave divided into four bays and a polygonal apse. The side chapels preserve their Gothic ribbed vaults, while the transept and apse reflect the language of the Renaissance in full maturity. Diego de Siloé designed the seven portals leading to the chapels and crypts of Granada’s noble families. The apse is covered by a magnificent coffered barrel vault supported by Corinthian pilasters. The transept was begun by Florentino and continued by Siloé, who also designed the tower; however, it was not completed until 1565, years after his death. The upper section of the tower, with its eight-arched belfry, parapet and tall spire, was demolished by Napoleonic troops.
The interior of the church dazzles with its decorative richness—one of the most splendid displays of the Renaissance in Andalusia. Florentino’s structural lines mingle with Siloé’s unmistakable touch, visible in the cruciform pillars with attached half-columns, reminiscent of those of Granada Cathedral. The coffered decoration reaches its finest expression in the vault of the High Chapel. The High Altarpiece, created by Pablo de Rojas, is among the most remarkable in Granada, presenting an intricate iconographic programme depicting scenes from the lives of Christ and Saint Jerome.
This space also houses the tomb of the Great Captain and the Duchess of Sessa, conceived to exalt the virtues and military achievements of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba. His wife, Doña María de Manrique, sought to ensure that he would rest within an ideal iconographic setting, one that reflected the classical tastes of their age.
This symbolic narrative continues on the exterior of the church’s apse. The lower tier displays the coats of arms of the Great Captain and the duchess, held by two warriors dressed in Roman fashion. On the second tier, the work of Siloé, two female figures—Industry and Fortitude—bear a cartouche recounting the Captain’s feats. On either side, two medallions are believed to contain portraits of the couple.
Visiting the Monastery of San Jerónimo
Opening hours
Summer
Monday to Saturday: from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00 (monument doors close at 13:30 and 19:30).
Sundays and public holidays: from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00 (monument doors close at 13:30 and 19:30).
Winter
Monday to Saturday: from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00 (monument doors close at 13:30 and 18:30).
Sundays and public holidays: from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00 (monument doors close at 13:30 and 18:30).
Special opening hours during Holy Week and other public holidays: please consult the monument’s official website.
Admission fees
General admission (12 years and over): €7.
Children under 12 (accompanied by a family member and not applicable to school groups): €0.
Students (under 25 with a valid student card) / Visitors with disabilities (with accreditation): €5.
School groups: €5 per pupil (for every 10 pupils, 1 teacher enters free of charge. Additional teachers pay the adult rate of €7).
It is recommended to check the monument’s official website for updated information.
How to Get to the Monastery of San Jerónimo
On foot
If you are staying in the city centre, walking is the simplest way to reach the Monastery of San Jerónimo. The walk takes no more than 15 minutes from most central locations. For example, from Plaza Nueva you can follow a particularly appealing Renaissance-themed route: cross Gran Vía, walk around the back of the Cathedral and continue along the Camino de San Jerónimo. This itinerary links two monuments built in the same period and shaped by the hand of the architect Diego de Siloé, to whom the passage behind the Cathedral is dedicated.
If you are near Puerta Real or Calle Reyes Católicos, you can walk along Calle Alhóndiga and then Calle Duquesa, crossing Calle Gran Capitán. This route takes you through streets named after the two historical figures most closely associated with the monastery, and the walk will not take more than twelve minutes.
Whatever your starting point, strolling to the monument is the best way to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of central Granada.
By bus
If you are farther from the historic centre, several urban bus lines will bring you close to the monastery:
Line 25: Alquerías (Centro Deportivo – Rosaleda – Gran Capitán). This line begins and ends at Pintor Fernando Belda – Centro Deportivo, travelling along Calle Arabial, the Fuente Nueva University Campus and Camino de Ronda. You can get off at the stop Gran Capitán 25 – Centro Cultural and walk about five minutes to the monastery.
Line U2: Particularly convenient if you are in the Cartuja Campus area. This line connects the different faculties and continues down to Fuente Nueva and Plaza Einstein. From the last stops, you can walk to the monastery. The shortest route begins at the stop Severo Ochoa – Fuente Nueva, followed by an eight-minute walk past the university canteens and then along Calle Rector López Argüeta.
Line U3: Camino de Alfacar – Campus de Cartuja – P.T. Salud. This line connects the Camino de Alfacar area with the Cartuja Campus and the PTS health district in Zaidín. You can follow a similar route, getting off at Severo Ochoa and walking to the monument.
You can also use the Granada Metro, especially if you are coming from the Zaidín district, La Caleta or the Nevada Shopping Centre. The nearest stop is Universidad, located in the Fuente Nueva Campus next to the School of Civil Engineering. From there it is a ten-minute walk following the same route along Calle Rector López Argüeta.
By car
If you are already in Granada, driving may be slower than walking or using public transport, as most streets in the historic centre are pedestrianised or have restricted access. Parking options in the area are also limited.
Regardless of where you are coming from, there are several public car parks near the monastery, including the Gran Capitán car park, the Severo Ochoa car park and the San Juan de Dios car park on Calle Rector López Argüeta.
You can also take a taxi, although the fare will vary depending on the time, date and distance of your journey.
Visitor Regulations
Visits are not permitted during liturgical services.
Photography and video recording are allowed, provided they do not disturb those who are praying.
Eating or drinking, smoking, or entering with animals is not permitted, except for guide dogs.
Upon entering, visitors are asked to switch off their mobile phones.
Children must be accompanied, and all visitors are expected to maintain order, cleanliness and a respectful attitude towards the heritage.
Silence must be observed, appropriate clothing is required, and head coverings should be removed inside the building.
Where to Eat Near the Monastery of San Jerónimo
The monastery is located in the very centre of Granada, an area filled with places to enjoy tapas, lunch or dinner, depending on what you fancy. Right opposite, on Calle Duquesa, you will find Cambalache Restaurant, a local classic specialising in traditional tapas and shared dishes.
If you wander through the rest of the city centre, you will come across some of Granada’s most iconic bars: La Taberna Tita Paca on Calle Pedro Antonio de Alarcón; La Sitarilla in the Magdalena neighbourhood; the traditional Bar Ávila Tapas near the Acera del Darro; or Los Manueles – Catedral, among many others.
For those seeking a more alternative atmosphere, the well-known Lemon Rock Granada is just a short walk from the monument, near Plaza de los Lobos. It is an ideal place to enjoy a drink with its accompanying tapa, share a variety of dishes and listen to live music in a vibrant, rock-inspired setting.
These are just a few examples of the wide range of gastronomic options available in the centre of Granada. The choice will depend on your tastes, the type of venue you prefer and the area you wish to explore. In any case, we recommend checking availability and online reviews beforehand to find the place that best suits your visit.
What to See Near the Monastery of San Jerónimo
The area surrounding the Monastery of San Jerónimo is home to numerous religious and historical monuments that reflect Granada’s rich artistic heritage. If you walk up Calle Gran Capitán and continue along Calle San Juan de Dios, you will come across the Basilica of San Juan de Dios, a true masterpiece where the splendour of Granada’s Baroque architecture is revealed in full.
Opposite the monastery, on the corner with Calle San Jerónimo, stands the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, built in the 17th century, with a sober yet strikingly original façade. Continuing along Calle San Jerónimo, you reach Plaza de la Universidad, where the historic Faculty of Law and the Collegiate Parish of the Holy Martyrs Justo and Pastor stand out, crowned by an imposing 16th- and 17th-century central dome. In this area you will also find the Botanical Garden of the University of Granada, founded in the 19th century, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city.
Further along Calle San Jerónimo rise two of Granada’s most emblematic monuments: the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel. Nearby, on Calle Oficios, stands the former Palace of La Madraza, the 14th-century Nasrid university, now a Contemporary Culture Centre belonging to the University of Granada and still preserving its original oratory. Beside it, the Alcaicería — the old silk market — offers a charming maze of narrow lanes filled with craft shops, where you can find wood inlay pieces or the traditional Fajalauza pottery.
If you prefer a wider stroll, from Calle San Juan de Dios you can head towards Gran Vía, where you will find the Jardines del Triunfo, the Royal Hospital of Granada — a 16th-century building that now houses the Rectorate of the University — and the Puerta de Elvira, an 11th-century remnant of the Arab city walls and the starting point of the well-known Calle Elvira. Very close by is Plaza de Isabel la Católica, with its iconic 19th-century monument to Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus, as well as the Monument to the Fourth Centenary. Continuing along Calle Reyes Católicos, in Plaza del Carmen, stands Granada’s City Hall, an elegant building that preserves the equestrian statue on its façade and which once housed the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites. Just behind this square lies the Corral del Carbón, a 14th-century building and the only preserved Nasrid alhóndiga on the Iberian Peninsula—one of the most important Andalusi monuments in the city.
Finally, if you make your way towards the Carrera del Darro, you cannot miss the Basilica of Our Lady of the Anguish, patron of Granada. Built in the 17th century, its spectacular Baroque interior is a remarkable testament to Granada’s religious art.
