Cartuja, Granada

In 1459, the Monastery of Santa María de El Paular agreed to found another monastery. The first monks from the Castilian charterhouse of El Paular arrived in Granada at the end of 1514. Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, known as El Gran Capitán, wished to become the new monastery's benefactor, though he ultimately withdrew from the project.

Building work resumed in 1516 to designs by Fray Alonso de Ledesma, and would continue for three centuries. The monks remained there until the 19th century. Despite the overall unity of the project, a striking diversity of styles runs through it. The monastery remained inhabited until 1835, and in 1842 its cloister and monks' cells were destroyed.

In recent years, various archaeological digs carried out on the Cartuja campus have uncovered the area's rich Roman past. Much remains to be discovered, but it is already known that a large pottery workshop once operated here, producing ceramics on a substantial scale.

The church has an interesting quirk: it has three entrance doors. One was for the faithful and the other two for the monks and lay brothers, which gives you a sense of how monastic life was organised. Once inside the nave, the altarpieces by Sánchez Cotán will catch your eye, especially the 17th-century Rest on the Flight into Egypt and Baptism of Christ.

But what will really take your breath away is the Sagrario, or Sancta Sanctorum, a true Baroque masterpiece. It was the work of the master Francisco Hurtado, regarded as one of the great figures of Andalusian Baroque. The dome crowning the space was decorated with frescoes by the Cordoban painter Antonio Palomino, who depicted the triumph of the Church Militant with a skill that will leave you speechless.

But if you think you've already seen the best of it, wait until you step into the sacristy. Located to the left of the presbytery, it's easy to see once inside why it is considered a temple in its own right. Here, marble, stucco, woodwork and paintings come together through light in an almost magical way. The sense of grandeur is heightened by the open central space, the whiteness of the walls, and the interplay of volumes that creates a truly unique sense of depth.

The visit continues through other equally fascinating rooms. The Refectory, which served as the friars' dining hall, has a rectangular floor plan covered by pointed vaults. Its walls are hung with canvases by Sánchez Cotán depicting the origins of the Carthusian Order, giving you a deeper insight into the history of these monks.

Finally, don't miss the Chapter House of the Lay Brothers, the oldest room in the entire monastery. Its ribbed vaulting will transport you back in time, and inside you'll find canvases depicting scenes from Carthusian life by Vicente Carducho, rounding off an impressive artistic ensemble that makes the Cartuja Monastery an unmissable visit.

The neighbourhood has become a strategic part of Granada thanks to the University of Granada's Cartuja Campus. This modern university district contrasts with the historic heritage of the monastery, creating a unique setting where tradition and modernity sit side by side.

To get there by public transport, take bus lines 8, U1, U2 or U3, which connect the city centre directly with Cartuja. If you'd rather drive, the area is easily accessible from the city and there is parking available around the university campus, which makes visiting much easier.

During your visit, keep a few important rules in mind. Photography is allowed, but without flash, spotlights, tripods or selfie sticks. Modest dress is required, and visitors are asked to remain silent throughout the visit out of respect for the site's religious character. Eating or drinking inside the monastery is also prohibited.

The plainness of the exterior facade contrasts dramatically with the richly detailed interior, achieved through paintings, frescoes, sculptures, vaults and polychrome woodwork. It's an unmissable visit that combines art, history and spirituality within a modern university setting, offering a unique experience where historic heritage coexists with contemporary academic life.

The Cartuja Monastery is open Sunday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm, while Saturdays have special hours of 10:00 am to 12:15 pm and 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Bear in mind that it stays closed on 25 December and 1 January, so plan your visit ahead of time.

As for prices, general admission costs 7 euros and includes an audio guide to help you understand everything you're looking at. Students and visitors with accredited disabilities pay 5 euros. Children under 12 go in free, which makes it a perfect visit for families.

The monastery is located on Paseo de Cartuja, next to the University of Granada, just over two kilometres from Granada's city centre. This location makes it an ideal stop if you're also planning to visit the university campus.

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