Monastery of Isadoro, Santiponce, Seville, Spain, December 2017

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HughieD

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1. The History
At the southern end of Santiponce, this exquisite, two-church former monastery was founded in 1301 by Alonso Pérez de Guzmán and his wife María Alonso de Coronel as a tomb for their ashes and as evidence of their piety. It was built on the site of a Mozarab hermitage, which, according to tradition, was where San Isidoro was buried until he was moved to the Collegiate Church in Leon in 1063. Over the centuries it hosted a succession of different religious orders, including the hermetic Hieronymite monks who embellished the Patio de Evangelistas with particularly striking 15th-century murals of saints and Mudéjar-style floral and geometric patterns.

All artistic styles are represented, Mudejar, the set is completed with the Cloister of the Dead and that of the Evangelists, the Sacristy and the Chapter House - both decorated in imitations of the Escorial - the refectory, Gothic Cloister, the Baroque Tower.

It was here that the Bible was first translated into Castilian (1569). It achieved the title of Historic Artistic Site of National Interest on 10 April 1872. The northern end of the monastery is open to the public but the lion’s share of the building is closed and in a state of semi-abandonment.

2. The Explore
Sometimes sites are on the edge of urban exploring and being a tourist attraction. This place ticks both boxes. As mentioned above, about a quarter of the site is open to the public. The majority, however, (including the wonderful Baroque Tower) is closed and in a semi-derelict state awaiting restoration. It was the latter part (naturally) that I sent myself the challenge to see. Sadly it was not to be, but given the glorious nature of the place I decided to do a report anyhow just using externals. Probably just as well as this would have been a pretty stiff test of Spanish Trespass Laws if I got gripped.

3. The Pictures

39376947711_8ee97e11ed_b.jpgimg4231 by HughieDW, on Flickr

39347376572_f9e844279c_b.jpgimg4232 by HughieDW, on Flickr

That Baroque Tower:

39347354182_ca5a36215b_b.jpgimg4233 by HughieDW, on Flickr

38499484355_d54545ba2d_b.jpgimg4235 by HughieDW, on Flickr

No way in here down the east flank:

27600118519_9c2557220a_b.jpgimg4237 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Nor from the north:

38499421045_55ff36a37d_b.jpgimg4240 by HughieDW, on Flickr

38668655994_fcdfac5a69_b.jpgimg4247 by HughieDW, on Flickr

38499224015_420b706603_b.jpgimg4249 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Round to the west:

25507626898_a9fc50e912_b.jpgimg4241 by HughieDW, on Flickr

39347212902_d3fe7ca6c9_b.jpgimg4242 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And on to the south:

38499305215_6ab28f2a87_b.jpgimg4243 by HughieDW, on Flickr

39347143052_c77d1a88d8_b.jpgimg4244 by HughieDW, on Flickr

No way in. Hey-ho. Here’s a nearby abandoned water tower:

39376965191_2c525c3718_b.jpgimg4230 by HughieDW, on Flickr

38499622855_c1ff156ba2_b.jpgimg4229 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 
Oh what a gorgeous site HD! You caught this place in some wonderful light too:surprise:

Love the shot of the grasses on top of the turret! and a bonus water tower, love it!

Thanks enjoyed that...and to have an explore on your hols really makes it!
 
Oh what a gorgeous site HD! You caught this place in some wonderful light too:surprise:

Love the shot of the grasses on top of the turret! and a bonus water tower, love it!

Thanks enjoyed that...and to have an explore on your hols really makes it!

Cheers PV! Always a bonus. Best report from my jaunt is yet to come!

Nice one! Looks massive too!

Cheers Tarkovsky. Wished I could have gotten in.
 

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