The Church and Convent of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns
were founded in the middle of the 18th century by the Galician mother and mystic writer, María Antonia de Jesús, on land belonging to the Counts of Priegue, at the confluence of the streets of Os Loureiros and Santa Clara.
The convent was the first that the Order of the Discalced Carmelites had in Galicia. This is a Catholic religious order founded in the 16th century by St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross. It is a reformed branch of the Carmelite Order, which dates back to the 13th century.
The Discalced Carmelites follow the so-called Rule of St. Teresa, which focuses on contemplative life and prayer. In fact, the saint, when she created them, sought to revive the contemplative and austere spirit of the original Carmelite Order, which had relaxed due to the lack of vigilance.
The order was founded in Avila and, in fact, the facade of the Convento das Carmelitas is very similar to that of San José de Ávila. It is made of granite masonry and has a solid and austere style that reflects the lack of ostentation of the Carmelites. The figure of the Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of sailors, is sheltered in a niche and topped with a circular pediment.
The church is the heart of the convent, it has a Latin cross plan and its simplicity is remarkable. Its beauty is a reflection of the spirituality of the order and its focus on the contemplative life.
On the sides, there are altarpieces dedicated to Santa Teresa and San Juan de la Cruz. The main altarpiece, built in the 19th century and of neoclassical tendency, is another example of Carmelite simplicity and sobriety, where the patron saint of the Carmelites stands out, surrounded by a series of symbols and allegories.
The Church and Convent of the Discalced Carmelites are a living testimony of the history of the Discalced Carmelite Order and its role in the expansion of the Catholic faith in Galicia. They are also places of tranquility where you can escape from everyday life. The convent also welcomes in its life of prayer and penance the Carmelite nuns, who dedicate their lives to the praise and adoration of God.
This temple is, without a doubt, an obligatory stop on the pilgrimage of anyone who walks the Camino de Santiago. It celebrates mass every day, specifically from Monday to Saturday at 8:15 am and on Sundays and holidays at 12:15 pm.
