Description of the attraction
A noteworthy construction of religious architecture in Avila is the monastery of Encarnacion, or the monastery of the Incarnation, founded in 1478 by Elvira Gonzalez de Medina. The monastery was originally built near the Church of St. Vincent. Some time later, at the beginning of the 16th century, the monastery of the Incarnation was transferred to the possession of a plot of land of the Jewish cemetery, where a new monastery building was built.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the monastery of Encarnacion was the largest, richest and most influential monastery in Avila. It was here that the future Saint Teresa entered as a nun in November 1535. Teresa spent 30 years in la Encarnacion. It was within the walls of the monastery that such important for her future life acquaintances took place with Saint Peter of Alcantria, who became her mentor and confessor, and Saint John the Cross, who was considered her follower. It was here that mystical visions visited her, here she wrote several of her books. She left the walls of the monastery in 1562, having obtained permission from the Pope to establish new monasteries, and returned to her native monastery in 1571 in the status of abbess. After 3 years, Teresa left the monastery forever.
In the 18th century, the restoration of the monastery and church buildings was carried out - the external and internal premises were rebuilt in the Baroque style.
Today the monastery houses a museum dedicated to Teresa of Avila. Visitors can visit the nun's cell, touch the items she used. Here are exhibited the relics of the saint, among which of particular interest is the map on which all the monasteries founded by St. Teresa are drawn.
