Built in the fourteenth century, an Iberian convent keeps a tradition that attracts curious visitors alive. Those who arrive at the scene find a small swivel window and a list of specialties available. The procedure is simple: just touch the bell, choose the candy and put the payment in the same space where the order is delivered. The curious thing is that the whole process takes place without seeing who is on the other side.
According to the NIT portal, all this happens at the Santa Inês Convent, in the Seville Center, founded in 1374 by María Colonel. The aristocrat decided to create the brotherhood after a life marked by dramatic episodes. Married to Juan de La Cerda, he saw her husband be arrested and die under the order of King D. Pedro I of Spain, who also harassed her.
The origin of the convent and the founding brand
According to the same source, María Colonel entered the convent of Santa Clara de Seville, but continued to be chased by the monarch. In an attempt to push him away, she even shot her oil to a boil. After the death of D. Pedro, his half-brother Enrique II of Trastamara forgiven it and returned the confiscated goods. It was with this fortune that he was able to found the Santa Inês convent after papal authorization.
Writes the same portal that the founder also left a mark in the confectionery. The so-called Santa Esés folders have become an emblematic recipe from the convent, remaining today with the same ingredients: flour, sugar, butter, lemon, eggs and a lot of strength in the kneading.
Centuries of conventual sweets
Adds the publication that there have been records of these sweets since 1600. At the time, each nun prepared the recipes in their cell, where he had a small stove. Over the centuries, new specialties have emerged, among them busts, wine threads, sesame butter, butter cookies, olive oil cakes and almond and chocolate cakes.
It is also known that the liturgical calendar defines part of the production. At Christmas, the nuns are dedicated to festive recipes and, at Easter, to sweets of this celebration. Still, there are always rolls available during the year.
Visits and schedules
Explains that any visitor can prove these recipes, as long as it respects the opening hours of the revolving window: between 9 and 1 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm, every day of the week. Each packaging costs five euros.
According to the same source, the convent is an hour and a half by car from the Algarve. From Lisbon, the trip to Seville takes about four and a half hours. Another alternative is to fly directly to the Andalusian city and visit the convent from the historic center.
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