Convento de La Coria, Trujillo

After the expulsion of the Muslims, Blessed Sisters Ines de Cristo and Marina Herrera of the Order of St. Francis founded a monastery in Trujillo. By decree of Juan II dated June 28, 1426, the building of the main mosque was transferred to their order, therefore the monastery is called the royal (Monasterio de San Francisco el Real). At the same time, a condition was set - to use the Muslim building as you like, but not as a church, which was written down in the monastery charter. The mosque was completely rebuilt, and the work was completed in 1495. A church was built in the 17th century, and in the 18th century there were farm buildings. The monastery is located near the city gates of Coria, so locals often use the name Convento de la Coria. The monks lived here until 1836, having survived the invasion of Napoleon, when the monastery was plundered. After Secularization (confiscation of monastic property), the buildings became the property of the military department and were used as a horse breeding farm and barracks for troops. Later, it housed the Technical Institute of Secondary Education, as a result of which the crypt of the famous conquistador Fernando Pizaro and his wife was filled in. It currently houses the cultural foundation founded by Xavier de Salas in 1969 and a workshop-school for the restoration of the artistic heritage and crafts of the Iberian peoples and Spanish America. Part of the premises is occupied by Franciscan nuns who lead a reclusive lifestyle and practice needlework. In the shop you can buy towels, napkins, tablecloths and other kitchen textiles decorated with exquisite embroidery in the Iberian tradition. Despite its long history, the elements of the original structure have been well preserved, for example, the vault of hewn stone covering the refectory, where the coats of arms of the city and the order are displayed. The monastery is located on the western border of the Old Town, next to the Plaza de los Moritos. The church and monastery grounds can be visited from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.