Sacred Art Museum. Convent of La Encarnación

This building was finished in 1549 and its first destination was the hospital of La Encarnación del Hijo de Dios.

In 1612, it was occupied by the Jesuits and, in 1626, the 4^th Duchess of Osuna founds in the site of the former hospital the Monastery to be regulated by the nuns of the Real y Militar Orden de la Merced.

The facade is made of brick, the bay is framed by pilasters and it is crowned by a divided pediment.

Inside, the church has a single nave covered by a barrel vault with cavities. The main altarpiece is baroque in style, and it presents the sculpture of the Virgen de la Merced in the central niche.

Through the church, we will access to the patio: this patio is surrounded by a wainscot of Sevillian tiles from the 18^th century, which shows biblical scenes, the five senses, the four seasons of the year, street motifs and nuns praying in the chorus. There are also hunting and bullfighting scenes.

A big part of the inside of the enclosed monastery has become a Museum, arranged around the main cloisters. The museum is composed by 4 rooms in which we can find a Baby Jesus collection, goldsmithing objects and important imagery.