A monastery turned concentration camp in Murcia

The history of this site began in 1615 when the founders of a convent arrived in Murcia. They first built a small monastic building on Santa Cecilia street, but due to poor construction and the proximity of the Segura river, it was demolished. A second, larger convent was built on the current site, funded by Bishop Francisco de Rojas y Borja, who was buried there.

Due to an increase in vocations and the need for a larger temple, a third and definitive monastery was constructed at the beginning of the 18th century, incorporating the previous structures. This building served as a home for the religious and mystic Juana de la Encarnación. It remained a place of worship until 1936, when the nuns were forced to leave the premises.

During the period following 1936, the building was converted into a garage, a jail, and a military barracks. In 1939, it functioned as concentration camp No. 2 for Murcia. More than 2,000 people were held there in deplorable conditions without medical attention, with prisoners like Dr. Javier Paulino stating they only had aspirin and bicarbonate available.

Despite damage to the interior during the unrest, the main altarpiece and numerous sculptures were saved by the Junta de Protección del Patrimonio Artístico de Murcia. In 1981, the building was officially declared a Bien de Interés Cultural. Today, it stands as a significant piece of local heritage with a complex and difficult past.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons