San Marcos convent is one of the biggest architectonical highlights, along with its cathedral, San Isidoro basilica and Casa Botines. Nowadays, it is a touristic hostel, a church and also a museum in León. It also has the honor of being one of the most important monuments of the Spanish Renaissance.
Its origin dates back to the 12th century, during Alphonse VII’s reign, his sister, Sancha Raimúndez, donated to the construction of small building that served as an accommodation for the needy in 1152, built outside the walled city and near the riverbank of Bernesga river, turning into an accommodation for the Camino de Santiago pilgrims at the same time. Moreover, it became the principal dwelling place of the Order of Santiago in León.
In the 16th century, the building was so poorly maintained that it has to be demolished and re-built again thanks to the donation made by Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1514. The architects chosen for this project were: Juan de Orozco for the church, Martín de Villareal for the façade and Juan de Badajoz el Mozo for the cloister and sacristy. However, the construction did not started until halfway through the reign of Charles I. It is known that in 1537 the construction started with the façade and kept on going until 1711-1715, when the building was enlarged. After the suspension of the construction in 1566 due to the friars’ relocation from Calera to Mérida, the cloister was already finished by 1679. The friars returned in 1602 and construction restarted.
Throughout its history, it has been used for several purposes, especially after it ceased being a convent in 1836, such as:
A prison (where Francisco de Quevedo was held prisoner,) a school, a veterinary school, a facility used by Jesuits, a penitentiary hospital, a military prison, a concentration camp for Republicans during and after the Spanish Civil War, a diocese, a War Ministry…
In 1875, even the city government considered demolishing it, but it was fortunately not carried out. However, other peculiar buildings in León did not share the same fate and were demolished.
Because it was not demolished, San Marcos convent is nowadays a hotel that offers the possibility of spending the night in a medieval building with all the amenities 21th century clients could demand. Its large salons, library, from where you can see the inner backyards and gardens are a just sample of the architectural and artistic richness that can be seen in the building. High ceilings, stone walls and wood floor is something that you can see in every room, which helps maintain its style with carpets, large beds, armchairs to read, large windows and private balconies.
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