Convent of the Salesas Reales

History

The convent was founded in 1748 by Queen Barbara of Portugal, wife of King Ferdinand VI, as a school and home for young noble women. She sought not just to establish a convent, but also a convenient place where she could retire. The convent was designed by François Carlier, and construction started in 1743. The original plans were modified and completed by 1750 by Francisco Moradillo. In 1870 the nuns were evicted and the building was converted into the Palace of Justice. During the twentieth century, the palace-convent suffered two fires, and required restoration by Joaquín Roji. The stairwell at the entrance was completed in 1930, opening to the new Barbara de Braganza street. The Tribunal de Orden Público had its headquarters in the Convent from 1963 till 1977.

The present building has a muted exterior compared to the original 18th century design, which while adhering to Neoclassic love of balanced and rigorous design, also was overflowing with decorative elements such as pilasters and lintels on every floor. In addition, unlike many convents, this building was full of windows. The convent commissioned by the Queen was derided in its time with the lines:

Bárbara Reina; bárbara obra; bárbaro gusto; bárbaro gasto.

which translates to:

Barbara Queen, barbarous work; barbarous taste; barbarous waste (expense).