13th-century Gothic jewel of Jerez de la Frontera

Located in Jerez de la Frontera, the Claustros de Santo Domingo are 13th-century structures that stand as a jewel of Gothic architecture in Andalusia. Originally linked to the Church of Santo Domingo, the complex was used by the Dominicans who expanded the site starting in 1436 until 1595. During this time, the Dominicans created a fake document claiming they were granted a field, an orchard, and a thousand additional units of land in Tabajete and Guadabajaque to protect their property - a deception that was only proven false in the 21st century.

In 1835, the expulsion of the Dominicans during the Mendizábal disaffection led to the civil sale of the space. Salvador Díez y Pérez de Muñoz purchased the property in 1908 and worked to sustain it, eventually passing to municipal ownership in 1983. The site underwent a major restoration from 1999 to 2012, during which workers discovered 5,000 vessels and a deambulatorio, along with original walls dating back to the 13th century and a tomb found in 2019.

The complex features a classic square structure with a central courtyard and two floors of corridors covered by simple cross vaults. Highlights include the 18th-century Claustro Alto, the 16th-century Dormitorio Bajo where monks slept, and the Oratorio de Diego de Ribadeneira with a grate from 1572. It also houses the Portada Almohade, the only visible remains of the original Islamic building donated to the Dominicans after the conquest of the city in 1264.

Today, the Claustros de Santo Domingo serves as a primary cultural venue for the Jerez Book Fair, concerts, and exhibitions. Plans are underway to install a museum dedicated to the Holy Week of Jerez on the first floor, while the space continues to be used for filming movies and series, such as The Crown in 2019.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons