Augustinian Convent and Purisima Church, Salamanca

The Augustinian Convent and the Purísima Church, declared a National Monument in 1935, combines religious devotion, architectural elegance, and deep familial significance. The convent itself remains a place of seclusion, still inhabited by nuns, while the adjoining church welcomes curious visitors to admire its beauty and history.

In 1636, Manuel de Zúñiga y Fonseca, Count of Monterrey, commissioned the construction to provide a spiritual refuge for his daughter, Inés Francisca de la Visitación, who later became the convent’s prioress. The project reached completion in 1687, establishing a legacy of faith and artistry that still resonates today.

Architecturally, the Purísima Church is a masterclass in Italianate design within Spain. The layout follows the form of a Latin cross, featuring a single nave flanked by side chapels, and was laid out under the guidance of architect Bartolomeo Picchiatti. Its elegant façade boasts a 33‑meter‑long portico, composed of three distinct levels-an inviting entrance that reflects refined proportions and design.

Step inside, and you’re met by an exquisite Baroque interior, where Carrara marble, local Villamayor stone, and refined ornamentation converge in graceful harmony. The towering marble main altarpiece is centered around José de Ribera’s famed painting of the Immaculate Conception-a work so influential that it shaped the portrayal of the subject by numerous Golden Age artists.

Surrounding this masterpiece, you’ll discover paintings by a stellar roster of artists including Giovanni Lanfranco, Massimo Stanzione, Francesco Bassano, and, notably, a depiction of Saint Augustine attributed to Rubens. The original dome of the church collapsed in 1657 and was later rebuilt in 1675 under the supervision of Fray Lorenzo de San Nicolás.