Monastery Santa Maria de las Cuevas

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The monastery contains the crypt where Christopher Columbus was originally buried before his remains were moved to the Seville Cathedral.

2. 2

   The English merchant Charles Pickman founded the 'La Cartuja de Sevilla' porcelain factory within the monastery grounds in 1841.

3. 3

   The distinctive tall chimneys remaining on the grounds were used to fire ceramics during the site's industrial era.

4. 4

   It served as the official Pavilion of the 1992 Universal Exposition of Seville.

5. 5

   The site includes a cloister that dates back to the late 14th century, though it was significantly modified over the centuries.

Overview

Monastery Santa Maria de las Cuevas, also known as La Cartuja, is the site of the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC) in Seville. The complex occupies a 15th-century Carthusian monastery located on the Isla de la Cartuja. It served as the site where Christopher Columbus prepared for his second voyage to the Americas. The monastery was converted into a ceramics factory in the 19th century by Charles Pickman, which influenced the site's industrial aesthetics. Following extensive restoration for the 1992 Universal Exposition, it now functions as a contemporary art museum. The architecture blends Gothic, Renaissance, and Mudéjar elements with industrial factory chimneys and kilns. Visitors can explore both permanent collections of Andalusian art and rotating temporary international exhibitions. The site is physically isolated from the city center by the Guadalquivir river branch, emphasizing its quiet, meditative environment.

Insider tips

• Wear comfortable shoes, as the complex involves walking across large courtyards and uneven historic flooring.

• Check the CAAC website for the current exhibition schedule, as the gallery displays change frequently.

• Bring a portable sun protector, as many of the outdoor areas and cloisters provide limited shade during summer afternoons.