Paris1972-Versailles2003

Another of those sites that were missing from my blog…..A big vault sometimes hard to find them….Anyway, this is another example of the great architecture and history found in lovely Segovia. One of my favorite cities of my dear Spain, I must add. Let me put this on my blog, finally, and tell you a bit on the Convent of San José or St Joseph of Segovia!!

The Convent of San José is a cloistered convent for Barefoot Carmelite nuns that is located in the city of Segovia. This is the ninth conventual foundation carried out by Santa Teresa de Jesús. In 1574 Teresa de Jesús traveled from Salamanca to found the convent together with her companions Isabel de Jesús and María de Jesús, from Segovia; Juan de la Cruz and Julián de Ávila. Santa Teresa ordered some sisters to come from the Pastrana convent to live in the new convent.

The new foundation was favored by the nobility of the city, highlighting Ana de Jimena and her daughter María de Bracamonte, who would later profess in the convent itself under the names of Ana de Jesús and María de la Encarnación. The convent was under the patronage of the Marquises of Lozoya. Later they left this convent to found others, such as:

In 1576: Bárbara del Espíritu Santo, Ana de la Encarnación and Catalina de la Asunción; to found the convent of San José in Caravaca de la Cruz; in 1581: Juana del Espíritu Santo and María de San José, to found the convent of Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Soria; and in 1586: Isabel de Santo Domingo, Inés de Jesús, Ana de la Trinidad, Catalina de la Concepción, María de la Visitación, María de San José and Catalina de la Encarnación; to found the convent of Santa Teresa in Zaragoza.

Currently ,as of December 2020 the Convent de San José continues to function with a community of about 10-11 nuns, You can visit during service to attend or contact them for any other hours, they can be accommodating to your visit. Email: carmelosanjosesegovia@gmail.com

The monastery occupies a large piece of land in the area of ​​the old town of Segovia, on Calle Daoiz, near the parish Church of San Andrés. The most interesting element of the convent is the church, which runs parallel to Calle Daoíz. It has a baroque-style nave, with important plasterwork, a false dome, a high choir ,and a low choir. The altarpiece of the main altar, in baroque style, has a carved image of the patron Saint of the convent (St Joseph) and another of the Virgen del Carmen. The altarpiece is topped by a sculptural group representing a Calvary. In the pendentives of the false dome there are lunettes representing saints related to the Carmelite order: Teresa de Jesús, Elías, Juan de la Cruz, as well as Ana de Jesús.

Towards the middle of the nave, on both sides there are two altarpieces, in the Baroque style of the 17C, smaller in size than that of the main altar. The altarpiece on the epistle side is dedicated to Santiago (St James) and the one on the gospel side is dedicated to Santa Teresa. The convent also has a lathe, parlor, orchard and other typical elements of the convents of the Barefoot Carmelites in Spain.

The footprints of Santa Teresa de Jesus on the convent in Segovia : https://www.huellasdeteresa.com/en/huellas/item/35-segovia

The Segovia tourist office on the convent : https://www.turismodesegovia.com/que-ver/monumentos/conventos-monasterios/#CONVENTO_DE_SAN_JOSE

The Mass webpage on the services of the convent of St Joseph Barefoot Carmelites : https://misas.org/p/convento-de-san-jose-carmelitas-descalzas-segovia

There you go folks, another dandy building with great architecture and even greater history of Segovia, Spain, the world! Hope you have enjoy the post on the Convent of San José of the Barefoot Carmelites!!

And remember, happy travels, good health ,and many cheers to all!!!

This time need to update this memorable trip and restaurant with the familly taken them to one of my favorites since childhood ,Segovia. The city of Segovia sits in the Province of Segovia, and the Autonomous Community of Castilla y Léon,in the kingdom of Spain! I like to keep this memorable trip and lunch alive in my blog ; as told you first came here with my dear late mom Gladys and later my dear late wife Martine ,and of course our 3 boys and Dad, always wonderful to walk its streets and see the gorgeous sights. We will be back again for sure. Below terrace on Plaza Mayor with La Oja Blanca!

For now , let me tell you about a memorable stop for lunch at the resto  La Oja Blanca, Plaza Mayor 7. We walked a lot here even on its steep cobblestone streets, and as hunger strikes we end up either by the Aqueduct or the Plaza Mayor. The one we enjoy for the service, food, prices, and wonderful view of the square was La Oja Blanca.

This is a small spot in the Plaza Mayor for the morning tapas, coffees or afternoon infusions or drinks from the first hour of the night. The music goes according to the time of day, in such a way that you can hear from Tchaikovsvy to La Polla Records. Occasionally they organize painting and photography exhibitions. Good terrace for the hot months, with great views of the music kiosk.

We had of course our bathful of Mahou beers (of Madrid) , codfish croquettes, chorizo a la cazuela, hot dogs! and omelettes all for about 8€ per person. The services were very generous,  fast and courteous. Good for a beer and a snack. Prices were reasonable. If you expect cold beer and reasonable prices you will not be disappointed here.

There is no official webpage so will give some others for reference , we like,  reviews of Sluurpy: https://www.sluurpy.es/segovia/restaurante/1892359/la-oja-blanca

And gastoranking: https://gastroranking.es/r/la-oja-blanca_68943/

The good sign is that it has no official webpage simply very local for more than 30 years there. We really enjoyed it and hopefully you will too once stop by in Segovia. The name is La Oja Blanca or the white stream as there was a water source there in ancient times.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!