Convento de las Clarisas de Santa Cruz

Convento de las Clarisas de Santa Cruz is a former Poor Clares convent in the heart of Santander, and its dramatic history — from monastic life to tobacco factory to present-day ruin — makes it one of the city's most unusual landmarks.

How did this convent come to be?

The building was constructed between 1641 and 1656, designed by the Franciscan friar Lorenzo de Jorganes. Its founder was María de Oquendo, the widow of a Santander shipowner, who endowed the convent generously: 50,000 ducats a year drawn from Seville tax revenues, plus another 50,000 ducats from loading and unloading fees at the port of Suances. That funding allowed the Poor Clare Coletta nuns to take possession of the building on 6 November 1656 and live there for nearly 180 years.

How did a convent become a factory?

In 1835 the Bishop of Santander ordered the nuns to leave, and three years later, in 1838, the building was converted into the city's tobacco factory (Tabacalera). That industrial use far outlasted its religious one — tobacco production continued here until 2002, when the operation relocated to Entrambasaguas. The building has stood empty ever since.

What can you see today?

The building holds official protection as a Bien de Interés Cultural, recognizing its historical value to Santander and Cantabria. Despite that status, it also appears on the Red List maintained by heritage organization Hispania Nostra, which tracks monuments at risk of being lost — the structure has been deteriorating for years, and its future remains uncertain. Plans have circulated to turn it into a judicial headquarters, but for now the interior is off-limits to visitors. The exterior alone, though, still conveys the scale and 17th-century architecture of what was once a wealthy convent.

How to get there?

Convento de las Clarisas de Santa Cruz sits in central Santander, an easy walk from most parts of the city, including the port area and the train station. It makes a worthwhile stop on a walk through Santander's historic architecture, particularly for anyone interested in the city's industrial and religious heritage.

When to visit?

Since the building can only be admired from the outside, timing your visit is really about your overall Santander itinerary — spring and early autumn bring mild Cantabrian weather that suits walking around the city. It's worth checking the site's current condition in person, as ongoing deterioration can affect access to the immediate surroundings.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the convent? No — the building is abandoned and considered at risk, and its interior is currently closed to visitors.

Why was the convent turned into a factory? The nuns were forced out in 1835 by order of the Bishop of Santander, and in 1838 the building became a tobacco factory that operated until 2002.

Is the building legally protected? Yes, it holds Bien de Interés Cultural status, yet it still appears on Hispania Nostra's Red List of endangered heritage sites.

Who founded the convent? María de Oquendo, the widow of a Santander shipowner, who financed it with substantial income from port and trade taxes.