Antiguo Convento de San Francisco

Antiguo Convento de San Francisco is a former Franciscan friary in Guadix, one of the oldest surviving buildings from the city's Christian era, right after its reconquest from Muslim rule.

History of the site

Construction of the convent and its attached church was ordered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1490, though the decree only took effect the following year. Building work moved quickly and was largely carried out between roughly 1510 and 1520. The foundation was backed by Cardinal Cisneros and the then bishop of Guadix, Fray García de Quixada. The Franciscans settled on land that had previously been the orchards and gardens of the local caudillo Hamete el Viejo, between the Morería quarter and the guild district, on the eastern side of the city.

After Guadix fell to Christian forces in 1489, the Franciscan and Dominican orders were entrusted with the religious and cultural conversion of the local population. Together with the convents of Santo Domingo and Santa Clara, San Francisco is one of the three oldest monastic foundations in the city.

What you'll see

The attached church, Iglesia de San Francisco, has survived to this day and is considered the oldest preserved temple in Guadix — it remains the main draw for visitors to the site. The convent building itself followed a very different path: after the 19th-century disentailment of church property, it was sold off, and in 1878 it was converted into a shelter for destitute elderly people, run by nuns known as the Sisters of the Poor. That was the last active use the building saw before falling into neglect.

Today the former convent stands in a state of serious disrepair and abandonment, with visible ongoing deterioration of its structure. Visitors mainly come to see the historic church building and the remaining convent structures, which still hint at the scale of the original 16th-century foundation.

How to get there

The convent and church complex sits in the historic center of Guadix, close to the town's main sights, making it an easy stop on foot while exploring the old town. Guadix itself is well connected to Granada, under an hour away by car, which makes it a straightforward day trip or a stopover on the way further into Andalusia.

When to visit

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to explore Guadix and its heritage sites, offering milder temperatures than the hot summers typical of inland Granada province. Keep in mind that the convent building itself remains in ruins, so a visit is mostly about viewing it from the outside.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Convento de San Francisco? The convent building is in a state of neglect and abandonment, so access to the interior is limited. The adjoining church, however, remains the oldest surviving temple in Guadix.

Who founded the convent? Construction was ordered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1490, with the foundation backed by Cardinal Cisneros and the bishop of Guadix, Fray García de Quixada.

What was the building used for in the 19th century? In 1878 it was turned into a shelter for poor elderly people, run by nuns known as the Sisters of the Poor.

Is this the oldest historic site in Guadix? Along with the convents of Santo Domingo and Santa Clara, San Francisco is one of the city's three oldest monastic foundations, and its church is regarded as the oldest surviving temple in Guadix.