Monastery of the Cartuja

It is said that the Monastery of Our Lady of the Assumption, or 'La Cartuja' as it is more commonly known, was the Christian attempt to out-shine the Alhambra after the reconquest of Granada. It is certainly something you probably won't see anywhere else in Christian architecture!

It was started in 1506 on land that was donated by the "Great Captain" and three centuries later was still not completed. It was a functioning monastery right up until 1835 when the monks were expelled from the site. La Cartuja is located on the outskirts of Granada, near the university campus which shares the same name. It's about half an hours walk from the centre or the Albaycín, although the route is along one of the main thoroughfares of the city so I would recommend getting a bus - the number 8 goes from Gran Via and stops right outside the monastery. 


If you've been to the Monasterio de San Jeronimo in Granada, the first thing you notice when you enter La Cartuja is the similarity in the design of it's cloisters. The central courtyard dotted with citrus trees is surrounded by beautiful arches and the bell tower standing high above.

However once inside the similarities in style vanish. The interior of the church is extremely striking because of the intricacy of the stone pillars, which almost look like something from native American architecture rather than 16th Century Christian. In some ways they almost look like white stone totem poles supporting the ceiling and its beautifully painted dome. 

  
The sagrario is equally dazzling with an explosion of orange and black marble, and a beautifully painted dome in the ceiling. The amount of detail and colour is fascinating and truly hard to take in. From the floor up to the roof is a non-stop chromatic display that is unique, although often splitting opinion with people admiring the beauty or recoiling from the overt exuberance.

Whatever your opinion on the style, it's certainly well worth the visit!

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