Holy Spirit Convent

The convent of the Dominican Mothers of the Holy Spirit was founded in the 14th century. It is the oldest female Monastic foundation in Jerez where noble ladies of the city professed, that is the reason why it was known as Las Dueñas Convent.

The early church collapsed in the early 16th century, reconstructing a new one and completed in 1577. It has a simple Renaissance façade giving access to the atrium. 

The church has just one nave with three sections covered by vaults with reliefs of saints of the order of Santo Domingo supported on half Corinthian columns.

The Renaissance headwall is ascribed to Martín de Gainza.  It has a semicircular plan covered by a quarter sphere galloned vault in which the Gospel of the Coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles or Pentecost is represented.

The choirs are situated at the feet of the temple, the lower one covered by a barrel vault and the higher by a wooden coffering.

The Chapter House was also executed in the 16th century and the cloister in the 17th century. It is composed by a gallery with arches supported on marble columns. Its walls are decorated with the remains of paintings dating from the 18th century.

Most of the artworks date from Baroque period, among which we can highlight the choir stalls and altarpiece. The two shrines placed on the altar of Santo Domingo and a group of sculptures exhibited in the hall before the council dates from the 16th century.

Another treasure offered by Dominican Mothers is their baking, especially the Tocino de cielo. People say that this nuns created this delicious dessert. The origin is linked to the wineries, specifically to the massive use of white eggs from wine clarification. The owners gave to the nuns the yolks and they prepare with them this delicious dessert. It is one of the most typical flavours in Jerez.