San Ginés de la Jara Monastery

This monastery was built to pay tribute to San Ginés de la Jara, a Frenchman who after a shipwreck swam for his life to the coast of Cabo de Palos. San Ginés de la Jara is the patron saint of Cartagena since 1677.

 

It is believed that the monastery was built in the 16^th century on the ruins of an Augustine-order Chapel. The Vélez Marquis ordered the construction of the monastery, putting the emblems of his family and the Franciscans on the main facade.

 

This single-ward building has three chapels on each side, in addition to a cloister, a tower and a number of chapels near the hill where it was built. The building, currently in a dilapidated condition, is expected to undergo restoration works so that its former splendor can be restored.