Description
Monasterio de San José del Salvador represents a fundamental milestone in the foundations of Santa Teresa, since it was the first in Andalusia. Furthermore, the walls of Monasterio de Beas hold one of the happiest moments of his life, because here he personally met Father Jerónimo Gracián, Provincial of Andalusia, with whom he exchanged opinions on the Reform of Carmel and the problems with the Calzados.The current appearance is the result of the passage of time, as its structures have endured great deterioration, the most serious caused in 1810 by Napoleonic troops during the War of Independence. The structure of the original monastic building is preserved, which has been renovated over time. The oldest part corresponds to the Santa Teresa Cell, Oratory and Room of Relics, in the south wing, next to the parish church. Its convent temple (from the mid-17th century) stands out, with its simple and sober-looking stone façade according to the Carmelite architectural canons and a beautiful baroque style doorway. In the entrance square to the Monastery you can see the statue of Santa Teresa de Jesús (and another of San Juan de la Cruz) and once inside, you can visit the museum-reliquary of the Monastery, highlighting several relics of Santa Teresa and various belongings from the primitive foundation among other elements of interest. You can also visit the parlor where San Juan de la Cruz communicated and spiritually attended to the nuns. In it, there is a painting by the famous painter Ricardo Sanjuán, which represents the arrival of the Saint to Beas and the first interview with his nuns.
