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Church of the Convent of San Buenaventura

The church of the convent of San Buenaventura stands between Calle Carlos Cañal and Calle Bilbao, just behind Plaza Nueva, and is today the city's only Franciscan convent. It began in 1600 as a Colegio Mayor, a centre for the study of Theology and Sacred Scripture that depended on the now-vanished Casa Grande de San Francisco. The present church was begun in 1622 to a design by the architect Diego López Bueno. It has two aisles with pilasters and a barrel vault with plasterwork in the main one; the original Gospel aisle was demolished to widen Calle Bilbao. At the crossing, the dome is decorated with frescoes by Herrera the Elder depicting Franciscan saints. On the high altarpiece the Immaculate Conception known as La Sevillana is venerated. The friars were expelled in the 19th century and returned in 1892. To the right of the entrance there is a ceramic altarpiece of the Virgen de la Soledad.

Things to do at Church of the Convent of San Buenaventura: 4 missions

• Spot the ceramic altarpiece of the SoledadOn the façade on Calle Carlos Cañal, to the right of the entrance, look for the tile altarpiece of the Virgen de la Soledad.
• See La Sevillana on the high altarpieceWith the church open, look on the high altarpiece for the Immaculate Conception known as La Sevillana.
• Walk round the church to Calle BilbaoWalk from Calle Carlos Cañal to Calle Bilbao following the church wall: on that side stood the aisle that was demolished to widen the street.
• Look up at the dome frescoesAt the crossing, look up and find the Franciscan saints painted in fresco by Herrera the Elder.

Near Church of the Convent of San Buenaventura

Source: Visitar Sevilla - Convento de San Buenaventura