Walking Tour Of Old Madrid With Historic Convents

Walking Tour Of Old Madrid With Historic Convents Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Visit the historic Monasterios de Descalzas and Encarnación

This walking tour begins at the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, once used as a Hapsburg monastery, and now a fascinating museum. Shortly after the monastery's founding in 1559, enough aristocratic women had come to take the veil - bringing their dowry with them - that it became one of the richest convents around. The valuable dowries included treasures of precious metals, priceless paintings, and even religious relics--one of which is said to contain bits of wood from the True Cross; another, some of the bones of St. Sebastian.

Next you will visit the Monasterio de la Encarnación, another royally-endowed Hapbsburg convent. You may wander amongst its variety of extraordinary salons, the most impressive being the Reliquario (relics room). Here the solidified blood of St. Pantaleon, permanently kept in a glass orb, supposedly liquefies for 24 hours every year, beginning at midnight on the eve of his saint's day. If his blood does not liquefy, legend has it that impending disaster will follow.

After this impressive, lasting experience, you will then experience the urban grandeur of Old Madrid. Enjoy the architectural brilliance of the city, created by the Spanish Austria and Bourbon Crowns, as you meander amongst the various Plazas throughout the city.

Please note that a supplement rate will be added on Holy Days (per group, not per person).

Days offered: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Departures:

• 08:00 AM, duration: 6 hours
• 09:00 AM, duration: 6 hours
• 10:00 AM, duration: 6 hours
• 11:00 AM, duration: 6 hours
• 12:00 PM, duration: 6 hours