THE CONVENT

Palancar Convent (Convento de la Purísima Concepción del Palancar), known by locals as “El Conventito”, was founded by Brother Pedro de Alcántara in 1557 and underwent refurbishments in the 17th and 18th centuries; currently, four Franciscan monks reside there. It's a pilgrimage destination used for both meditation and as a retreat. Its backdrop of stunning natural beauty ensures many people visit the convent.

Saint Peter had a gift with people and was an extremely successful man; he was also a light traveller.

The so-called “Conventito”, founded by the saint, has some simple cells with a wooden board that was used as a bed. Brother Pedro slept in a sitting position with his head supported on a wooden trunk; there was no room for anything else.

Saint Teresa of Jesús, a personal friend of Pedro, wrote about him, emphasising his poverty, austerity and kindness.

The minimalist wooden cloisters are situated next to the indoor patio. The refectory and kitchen are of a simple design. The mosaics in the chapel are by Magdalena Leroux and the statue is by Saint Peter de Pérez Comendador.

The posterior refurbishments followed a simple style and made use of the granite boulders that form part of the natural environment.