Such an astounding façade covers the front of this monastery. We are currently facing the Monastery of the Nuns of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady the Virgin Mary. Founded in the sixteenth century by the famed local lady Juana Jiménez Camacho, this place began life as a hospital devoted to caring for the poor and infirm. Ms Jiménez Camacho was an exemplary woman, well-known for her generosity and un-wavering desire to help the neediest amongst us.
The Nuns’ Alleyway, which is the name given to this part, is noted for its narrowness and offering cooling respite. It was built in 1699 under the auspices of the architect Diego Moreno Meléndez to strengthen Saint Mary’s Church’s structure. Its gloomy and mysterious ambience means it becomes a unique space through which the Easter processions, amongst these that of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth is worthy of special mention due to it being the most devoutly worshiped sculpture in Arcos. This work, created by the hand of the master Jaime Velardi, dates back to 1600 and crosses the town’s streets with great solemnity on Maundy Thursday, extending its blessing to the faithful.
Finally, it would be amiss not to mention the Holy Christ of the True Cross, the oldest image on show in Arcos, dated as 1540. With his pained expression on his face and thorn of crowns, he is a symbol of popu-lar devotion during Easter week.
And so, we reach the end of our enjoyable saunter. Yet before parting our ways, I would invite you to join me for our farewell.