San Francisco Convent
Introduction
Belonging to the Franciscan order, at the beginning of the 17th century one of the most important convents in Huéscar was created, the convent of San Francisco. It had a religious function until the "disentailment of Mendizábal" in the 19th century, which decreed the suppression of all monasteries of monastic orders.
In 2014, restoration work was undertaken on the entire complex - cloister, convent and church - the latter of which now houses a new function, the Segureño Lamb Interpretation Centre. This space is intended to raise awareness of the star product of the culture and gastronomy of Huéscar.
San Francisco Convent
Origins
The Franciscan order began its activity in Huéscar in 1602. However, it was not until the following year that construction began on the church that would form part of this congregation.
In 1604, the Barefoot Franciscans established themselves in the new church where they also moved the Santísimo Sacramento, the oldest brotherhood in the province.
By then, the works had not been completed in their entirety since, as happened with the convent of Santo Domingo, donations, alms and even loans from wealthier people were needed to finish the complex.
San Francisco Convent
Temple
The convent complex has a single-nave church with chapels on the sides that are decorated with reliefs and paintings, with plant motifs predominating.
At the foot of the church is the choir with an impressive wooden beam decorated with leaves and just behind it is an arch that reads "AÑO DE 1632 ESTA CIUDAD" (YEAR OF 1632 THIS CITY).
At the foot of the apse and on the floor, there is a grille door that gives access to the crypt, where the prior of the convent was buried, and a cistern that was used to collect rainwater.
San Francisco Convent
Cloister
The cloister is located on the east side of the convent, between the church and the main façade. Given the poverty of the order, it only has corridors in the area adjoining the naves.
Its walls are decorated with cartouches containing texts in Latin and old Castilian framed with plant motifs. Made by the Franciscans at the end of the 17th century, some of them are still preserved today thanks to the recent restoration carried out by Pedro Corbalán in 2021.
San Francisco Convent
Uses
From its origins, philosophy and grammar lessons were taught in the convent.
After the confiscation in 1835, the Franciscans were expelled from this place and stripped of their property. The convent was put up for auction but nobody bid for it, so it was decided to inhabit it in order to provide accommodation for families in need.
In 1850, the complex was quite deteriorated as many of its materials had been reused for the construction of other buildings. It was not until 1864 that it was given a new function as a cereal depot and years later it was used as a limekiln for some time. Until its restoration in 2014, it remained in a state of abandonment.
San Francisco Convent
CICOS
Since 2014, the Centro de Interpretación del Cordero Segureño (CICOS) has been located in the church of the convent.
The building has recovered its original appearance and is now intended to show, through a historical, cultural and gastronomic tour that takes place in each of the chapels of the old church, all the factors and elements that revolve around this characteristic product of a wide geographical area.
We begin by defining the breed and how it differs from other breeds. Then the history of this livestock is explained, with an approach to the livestock system and its protagonists: the shepherds, culminating in the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label.
San Francisco Convent
Introduction
Belonging to the Franciscan order, at the beginning of the 17th century one of the most important convents in Huéscar was created, the convent of San Francisco. It had a religious function until the "disentailment of Mendizábal" in the 19th century, which decreed the suppression of all monasteries of monastic orders.
In 2014, restoration work was undertaken on the entire complex - cloister, convent and church - the latter of which now houses a new function, the Segureño Lamb Interpretation Centre. This space is intended to raise awareness of the star product of the culture and gastronomy of Huéscar.
San Francisco Convent
Origins
The Franciscan order began its activity in Huéscar in 1602. However, it was not until the following year that construction began on the church that would form part of this congregation.
In 1604, the Barefoot Franciscans established themselves in the new church where they also moved the Santísimo Sacramento, the oldest brotherhood in the province.
By then, the works had not been completed in their entirety since, as happened with the convent of Santo Domingo, donations, alms and even loans from wealthier people were needed to finish the complex.
San Francisco Convent
Temple
The convent complex has a single-nave church with chapels on the sides that are decorated with reliefs and paintings, with plant motifs predominating.
At the foot of the church is the choir with an impressive wooden beam decorated with leaves and just behind it is an arch that reads "AÑO DE 1632 ESTA CIUDAD" (YEAR OF 1632 THIS CITY).
At the foot of the apse and on the floor, there is a grille door that gives access to the crypt, where the prior of the convent was buried, and a cistern that was used to collect rainwater.
San Francisco Convent
Cloister
The cloister is located on the east side of the convent, between the church and the main façade. Given the poverty of the order, it only has corridors in the area adjoining the naves.
Its walls are decorated with cartouches containing texts in Latin and old Castilian framed with plant motifs. Made by the Franciscans at the end of the 17th century, some of them are still preserved today thanks to the recent restoration carried out by Pedro Corbalán in 2021.
San Francisco Convent
Uses
From its origins, philosophy and grammar lessons were taught in the convent.
After the confiscation in 1835, the Franciscans were expelled from this place and stripped of their property. The convent was put up for auction but nobody bid for it, so it was decided to inhabit it in order to provide accommodation for families in need.
In 1850, the complex was quite deteriorated as many of its materials had been reused for the construction of other buildings. It was not until 1864 that it was given a new function as a cereal depot and years later it was used as a limekiln for some time. Until its restoration in 2014, it remained in a state of abandonment.
San Francisco Convent
CICOS
Since 2014, the Centro de Interpretación del Cordero Segureño (CICOS) has been located in the church of the convent.
The building has recovered its original appearance and is now intended to show, through a historical, cultural and gastronomic tour that takes place in each of the chapels of the old church, all the factors and elements that revolve around this characteristic product of a wide geographical area.
We begin by defining the breed and how it differs from other breeds. Then the history of this livestock is explained, with an approach to the livestock system and its protagonists: the shepherds, culminating in the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label.