Whispers of scandal and whispers of art intertwine here at the Iglesia del Monasterio de Benedictinas de San Plácido. This convent holds secrets as deep as its foundations. Today, we will uncover some of them.
The Iglesia del Monasterio de Benedictinas de San Plácido was founded in 1623 by Teresa Valle de la Cerda. It sits nestled between the streets of San Roque and Madera. The church’s construction showcases Spanish Baroque style. Fray Lorenzo de San Nicolás oversaw the beautiful design.
Inside the Iglesia del Monasterio de Benedictinas de San Plácido, the art captivates. Claudio Coello’s “Annunciation” graces the main altar. Francisco Rizi and Juan Martín Cabezalero painted frescoes that adorn the dome. Manuel Pereira sculpted four statues that stand proudly. Gregorio Fernández created the recumbent Christ.
From 1628 to 1808, Velázquez’s “Christ” resided in the sacristy of Iglesia del Monasterio de Benedictinas de San Plácido. Manuel Godoy later acquired it. It now resides in the Museo del Prado. However, an excellent copy remains in the church’s lower choir.
The Iglesia del Monasterio de Benedictinas de San Plácido is linked to scandal and legend. In 1628, the Inquisition investigated the supposed demonic possession of twenty-five nuns. Teresa Valle de la Cerda was among them. Their demons prophesied church reform. Fray Francisco García Calderón stood accused. Jerónimo de Villanueva also faced accusations. In 1630, Fray Francisco was sentenced for heresy. Teresa Valle faced a lesser sentence.
In 1638, Fray Gabriel Bustamante sought a review of the case. He aimed to restore the nuns’ honor. Francisco de Rioja may have helped Teresa Valle write her appeal. The Council absolved the nuns in October 1638. But the case reopened in 1643.
A legend tells of King Felipe IV and a beautiful nun named Margarita. The king gifted a clock to the convent as penance. Its chimes mimicked a death knell. This served as a reminder of his indiscretion. The story appears in a late 17th-century manuscript.
In 1903, parts of the Iglesia del Monasterio de Benedictinas de San Plácido were demolished. Reconstruction began in 1912. Rafael Martínez Zapatero led the restoration. The building earned National Monument status in 1943.
In 1994, bodies were found under an altar in the Iglesia del Monasterio de Benedictinas de San Plácido. They were from the same time as Diego Velázquez. A commission investigated if they were Velázquez and his wife. They concluded that it was not them.
Today, the Iglesia del Monasterio de Benedictinas de San Plácido stands as a testament to Madrid’s complex past. It is a blend of art, faith, scandal and legend. It remains a compelling destination for those seeking to understand Madrid’s hidden stories.