Once connected to the Royal Palace by an underground passageway, this Augustinian convent now houses less than a dozen nuns. Founded in 1611 by the wife of Felipe III, it has several artistic treasures, including a reliquary where a vial with the dried blood of St. Pantaleón is said to liquefy every July 27. The ornate church has superb acoustics for medieval and Renaissance choral concerts.
Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 1/31/08
This was much better than the Descalzas Reales tour. While the Encarnacion doesn't own any big-name visual art pieces, what they have is quite good -- and every bit as good as what the Descalzas Reales deigns to show you. Plus the choir, chapel, and relics room are most attractive (none of which the other convent's tour includes). Tours are in Spanish only. Worth seeing.
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