Monastery of Santa Clara, Carrión de los Condes

The Monastery of St. Clare is a convent of the Poor Clares located in Carrión de los Condes, a small town in the province of Palencia, in the Castile and León region of Spain. It sits directly on the Camino Francés — the most popular route of the Camino de Santiago — making it one of the landmarks passed daily by thousands of pilgrims walking toward Santiago de Compostela.

Where exactly is it located?

The monastery stands in the heart of Carrión de los Condes, a town that has served as an important waypoint on the pilgrimage route for centuries. Its coordinates are approximately 42.3366°N, 4.5985°W, placing it in the middle of the Castilian plateau, on the stretch connecting Frómista and Sahagún.

What should you know about the monastery?

The building belongs to a community of Poor Clare nuns, a Franciscan-founded order that continues a tradition of contemplative religious life. Carrión de los Condes has hosted religious communities since the Middle Ages, and monasteries like this one have long coexisted with the pilgrim route, offering support and shelter to those walking the Camino. The town's own name — "de los Condes," meaning "of the Counts" — recalls its historical importance as a seat of nobility in medieval Castile.

How do you get there?

Carrión de los Condes lies directly on the main Camino Francés, roughly 40 km west of Burgos and a similar distance from Frómista. Walking pilgrims typically arrive here after several days on the trail from Burgos, while those traveling by car can reach the town via regional roads connecting to the Castile and León highway network. The nearest larger city with train and bus connections is Palencia, about 40 km away.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Despite its modest size, Carrión de los Condes concentrates several notable religious landmarks — alongside the Monastery of St. Clare, other churches and convents in town form a dense network of resting points for pilgrims. A walk through the old town reveals the character of a place that has lived by the rhythm of the Camino for centuries.

When is the best time to visit?

The most favorable conditions for visiting Carrión de los Condes and its surroundings fall in spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October), when temperatures on the Castilian plateau are mild and pilgrim traffic — present year-round — has not yet reached its summer peak. Summers can be hot and dry, while winters are often harsh and windy.

Frequently asked questions

Can the monastery be visited? As an active religious institution, access for visitors may be limited to specific hours and depends on the current rules of the community of sisters. It's worth checking locally or at a tourist information point before visiting.

Is this a popular stop for Camino de Santiago pilgrims? Yes, Carrión de los Condes is a classic stage of the Camino Francés, and the town's monasteries have long been associated with providing lodging and support to walkers.

What's the best way to reach Carrión de los Condes without walking? The easiest option is by car or bus from Palencia, which has regular connections toward smaller towns in the region.

Are there other landmarks worth visiting nearby? Yes, Carrión de los Condes itself has rich religious and historical architecture, and the wider Castile and León region is full of sites tied to the history of the Camino de Santiago.