Santa Clara Monastery
The Santa Clara Monastery is one of Quito’s most representative religious monumental architectures. It was founded in 1596 and is considered the second-oldest monastery in the city. In addition, it is the home of the Cloistered Order of the Poor Clares and the most significant female abbey in the town. If you are planning to visit Quito’s historic center, we recommend visiting this emblematic monastery with a fascinating history, a contemporary example of a life of meditation and contemplation by the nuns who live there.
Photo by Burkhard Mücke, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The basics#
The Santa Clara Monastery is considered an architectural jewel of Quito. It was founded in the 16th century, meaning it is more than 400 years old and occupies almost a block of the historic center of Quito. The monastery’s church is famous for its beautiful orange oval dome and other small domes. Likewise, it maintains within its walls important religious works from the Quito School that are part of the cultural and spiritual heritage of the city, as well as “one of the oldest baroque nativity scenes in Quito, [which has] unique pieces and characters from society. Quito of the time” (Quito Informa. s/f. El Monasterio de Santa Clara, el segundo más antiguo de Quito).
Things to know before visiting Santa Clara Monastery#
- The nuns of the Santa Clara Monastery maintain a contemplative life, and their daily lives occur within the convent. People who enter the monastery can connect with these nuns and learn first-hand about their life and work.
- To enter the Monastery, you must book a guided tour to meet the nuns who live there, the church, the lower choir, the upper choir, and the iconic orange oval dome of the monastery.
- Quito Tour Bus offers you the Santa Clara Domes Tour, which takes you on a night tour of this tourist destination in the city. This tour is part of the Quito Secret Tours.
- You can attend the masses held at the place on weekends at 7 a.m., a space accessible to the general public.
- The nuns of the Santa Clara Monastery make artisanal products, such as cream, shampoo, consecrating wine, hosts, and cakes, among many others. You can purchase these products at the Cuenca and Rocafuerte Streets stores. You can also buy the products on special tours.
- Near the Santa Clara Monastery are other tourist attractions, such as the Casa del Alabado Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, Plaza San Francisco, the Church and Convent of San Francisco, and the church of the Company of Jesus.
How to get to Santa Clara Monastery?#
The Santa Clara Monastery is located in the historic center of Quito, between Cuenca and Rocafuerte streets. It is considered the gateway to San Roque, one of the most traditional neighborhoods in the city. You can reach this destination in your vehicle via VIP transportation, Quito Tour Bus, Quito Metro, or on a private day tour.
In own vehicle
If you drive, you can find public parking in the historical center area. However, the streets are narrow, and traffic can be heavy.
In VIP transport
Another way to get to the Santa Clara monastery is to use the VIP transportation service, the safest way to get around Quito. If you’re looking for comfortable and secure transportation to take you to this essential destination in the city, you can contact us by WhatsApp.
In Quito Tour Bus
If you go to the Monastery of Santa Clara on the Quito Tour Bus, you must get off at the San Francisco stop and walk towards Cuenca and Rocafuerte streets, which are very close. The Hop On – Hop Off Quito Tour Bus system allows you to visit the place and then return to the bus to continue the tour. You can get on and off the bus as many times as you want for the duration of your ticket.
By Quito Metro
To reach this destination on the Quito Metro, you must get off at the “San Francisco” station, the closest metro station to the Monastery of Santa Clara. The walk from the “San Francisco” stop to the Compañía church takes approximately three minutes.
Private day tour
Another way to get to this site is on a day tour, which is undoubtedly one of the best visiting options since you can tour the church at your own pace while a designated driver takes care of all the logistical details. If you are looking for a day tour, Contact us by WhatsApp for more information.
When should you visit Santa Clara Monastery?#
The Monastery of Santa Clara is a tourist destination that can be visited by booking a tour, so it is recommended that you do so in advance. Additionally, on weekends, you can attend the mass at 7 a.m., and the monastery space is open to the public.
Frequently asked questions#
Who built the Santa Clara Monastery?
This monastery of Franciscan nuns was founded in 1596 at the initiative of Doña Francisca de la Cueva, widow of Captain Juan López de Galarza. Several houses that formed the corner of the current Cuenca and Rocafuerte streets in the historic center of Quito were purchased for its establishment and construction.
Visiting hours
