A city within a city.
Founded in 1289 by King Fernando III of Castilla, the Convent of Santa Clara was one of Seville’s most important medieval buildings.
This Almohad Palace, eventually became convent of the Company of the Order of Saint Clare until 1998, although through its existence also hosted a military base, a museum, and studios for local artists. Taking over huge portions of the city, Santa Clara is one of many convents that sit forgotten behind walls, kept away from modern life in the city.
I was lucky to be able to wonder the Convent, its many rooms, mazes and private squares thanks to my father, who occupied one of its rooms in the 70s as his first architecture studio.
These images captured in 35mm film are the last testimony of the convent in its unaltered state (having gone through a major renovation shortly after), reminding us of the wonderfully peaceful lives of its past inhabitants.
© Isabel Sierra y Gómez de León, 2021. All rights reserved.