Diocesis Museum of Religious Art

Diocesis Museum of Religious Art

The Convento de San Francisco the museum of Religious Art is now open to the public as the Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro in Lanzarote’s old capital La Villa de Teguise.

Diocesis Museum of Religious Art

The 16th century old convent has been beautifully restored and home to various pieces of religious art pieces.

Diocesis Museum of Religious Art
Diocesis Museum of Religious Art

The iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Miraflores (Our Lady of Miraflores) was the first convent on the island, work started in 1588. The convent of San Francisco was burned after an invasion in 1618 and reconstructed through the decades, only to be burnt again in 1658

Diocesis Museum of Religious Art
Diocesis Museum of Religious Art

The building we see today is the third construction including three baroque style altarpieces. There are 8 themed areas to the museum:

1. History of the building

2. Messengers of God

3. God becomes a man

4. The Easter Way

5. The coming of the Holy Spirit

6. Bread of life

7. Witnesses of the Good New

8. Door of Heaven

Diocesis Museum of Religious Art
Diocesis Museum of Religious Art

All exhibits have information in Spanish and English. This pelican figurine is in the bread of life section because these birds feed their babies with their own blood.

Diocesis Museum of Religious Art
Diocesis Museum of Religious Art

The convent originally had accommodation for the monks on the left of the current building, this section of the property passed into private ownership in the first half of the 19th century.

Diocesis Museum of Religious Art
Diocesis Museum of Religious Art

The building consists of two halls separated by a series of arches and a beautiful example of a mudéjares ceiling.

Diocesis Museum of Religious Art
Diocesis Museum of Religious Art

Of the three Baroque altarpieces, the central one features three bodies, the second is to the right with Indian influences and the third is a chapel made from stone on the left. They are dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Miraflores, San Antonio de Padua and Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción.

The museum houses many pieces of great artistic value including paintings, scultpures, metalwork, textiles and coins most have come from different churches from the island as well as private donations.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday 09:30 – 16:30 and Sunday 10:00 – 14:00.

Entry costs €2 for which you can also enter the Museo de Arte Sacro in the plaza of Haría.

Related Information:
La Villa de Teguise
Historic City Tour

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