26 Spanish convents receive Repsol Guide awards for their handmade sweets for the first time ever

For the first time, Repsol Guide has awarded its 'Soletes' to 26 Spanish convents that make artisan sweets. The award, announced in Granada, aims to highlight the value of classic recipes and traditional methods.

A total of 26 convent bakeries from 12 different religious congregations were selected by the publication's inspectors from among the 300 establishments that received the seal this year. Created in 2021 as an alternative to the famous 'Soles', the 'Soletes' are designed to recognise bars, taverns and cafés that combine quality with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

In the 13th Repsol Guide, which focuses on Christmas-related offers, convents such as Granada's Real Monasterio de la Madre de Dios de Santiago, headed by Mother María Auxiliadora, received the award for the 30 different sweets, which its members produce while running a hostal with more than 40 beds.

The nearby Convento de San José de las Carmelitas Calzadas, where sisters of Filipino origin bake almond pastries, mantecados and polvorones, while also offering Asian takeaway dishes, has also won an award.

Other new Repsol 'Soletes' are Monasterio de Jesús María del Socorro in Archidona; Las Carmelitas Calzadas in Antequera; Monasterio de Santa Paula in Seville (whose Hieronymite nuns are specialists in fruit sweets); Santa Clara de la Columnain Belalcázar (Cordoba); San Cristóbal y Santa Rita in Medina-Sidonia, Cadiz (where a majority of African nuns make medieval sweets); Toledo's Convento de Jesús María (famous for its marzipan); and its neighbouring Convento de San Clemente (which has been selling sweets since the 13th century).

The following were also honoured: Monasterio de Jesús Nazareno in Sisante (Cuenca); Convento de Santa Isabel in Valladolid; Monasterio de Santa Clara in Soria; Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Piedad in Palencia (specialising in empanadas, almond buns and rosquillas de Santa Rosa); Iesu Communio in Burgos (where, in addition to confectionery, they also produce handicrafts and preserved flowers); Monasterio de la Santa Cruz in Sahagún (León); Monasterio de Concepcionistas, also in León; Convento de Santa María la Real de las Dueñas in Zamora (famous for its rosquillas del Ángel); Convento de Santa Clara in Llerena (Badajoz); Convento de San Pablo (Cáceres); and Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Salud in Garrovillas de Alconétar (Cáceres).

The following will also be awarded a 'Solete': Santa María de Jerusalén de Barcelona; Convento de San Antonio in Murcia (where they even make panettone); Monasterio de Nuestra Señora del Pilar in Bilbao (where all kinds of sponge cakes are made); Repostería Fina Santa Clara in the Cantabrian town of Villaverde Pontones; Convento de Santa Magdalena in Palma de Mallorca (famous for its cocas de Nadal); and Monasterio Cisterciense de Teror in Las Palmas (which, among other sweets, makes the traditional truchas de batata).

From now on, the award-winning convent bakeries will be able to display the label on their walls.