Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción "La Cartuja"

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The sacristy took 34 years to complete, intended as a sensory contrast to the monks' ascetic vows.

2. 2

   The marble used in the interior is sourced from the Sierra Elvira mountains near Granada.

3. 3

   Fray Juan Sánchez Cotán, a renowned still-life painter, joined the order in 1603 and created many of the monastery's canvases.

4. 4

   The ornate altar in the sacristy is designed to mimic the appearance of precious tortoiseshell and ivory.

5. 5

   The complex was abandoned by the Carthusian monks during the Spanish ecclesiastical confiscations in the 19th century.

Overview

The Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, commonly known as La Cartuja, is a pinnacle of Spanish Baroque architecture located in Granada. Construction began in 1516 and spanned over three centuries, resulting in a transition from late Gothic to extravagant Churrigueresque styles. The monastery served as a Carthusian order residence until the 1835 Mendizábal confiscation. Its most significant feature is the sacristy, characterized by highly ornate stucco decorations and inlaid marble furniture. The interior walls showcase a collection of paintings by Fray Juan Sánchez Cotán, emphasizing the austere life of the monks versus the opulence of the church decor. Despite its plain exterior, the monastery layout includes a cloister, a chapter house, and a refectory. The church is divided into three sections intended for the clergy, the lay brothers, and the public.

Insider tips

• Use the provided audio guide to decipher the complex iconographic program of the paintings and sculptures.

• Focus your attention on the sacristy, as it is the most elaborately decorated room in the entire complex.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes to navigate the stone floors throughout the various rooms.