Royal Monastery of San Zoilo

To your left is the Royal Monastery of San Zoilo. Today, the outbuildings of the former convent and its cloister are home to the municipal library—so feel free to step inside and see what’s going on behind these historic walls. The monastery once belonged to the Franciscan friars and was the first convent to be established in Antequera. It was built in the year 1500 by royal decree of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. Their son wanted to found a monastery dedicated to San Zoilo—a Christian saint martyred by the Romans in Cordoba during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. The monastery was built in the Gothic style, a favourite of the Catholic Monarchs. Its two-storey cloister is supported by red limestone columns and is a beautiful example of the period’s architecture. If you have the chance to step inside the church, take a moment to admire the Mudejar-style coffered ceiling, as well as the striking main altarpiece—a blend of rococo and neoclassical styles. In the centre of this altarpiece, you’ll find the statue of Our Lady of Vera Cruz, dating back to 1614.