Monasterio de La Victoria was constructed on the outskirts of El Puerto de Santa María in the early 16th century. Throughout its long history, this building has gone through various vicissitudes.
Monasterio de La Victoria (“La Victoria Monastery”) was constructed on the outskirts of El Puerto de Santa María in the early 16th century. In 1517 it had to be given to the Minims of San Francisco. These friars enjoyed great privileges since the founding of the order.
Throughout its long history, this building has gone through various vicissitudes. Its first assignment was as a ducal’s pantheon, which will be later altered. It suffered the Anglo-Dutch invasion of 1702, and the flood that followed the earthquake of 1755. Moreover, it endured the Napoleonic invasion, when it was plundered, and then secularized due to the disentailment of the Mendizabal.
In the 18th century, it was the headquarters of theological and artistic studies. In the 19th century, it became a Seminary and Jesuit novitiate centre. Later on, it was used for Hospice, as a hostel and as a hospital for the war wounded. Finally, a penitentiary was established there since the early years of the 20th century.