In 1498, through a Royal Decree signed on December 15 in the town of Ocaña, the Catholic Monarchs ordered the construction of the convent next to the church, thus consolidating its presence and significance in the city.
A notable element preserved from that former mosque is its Almohad-era minaret, which was converted into a bell tower. This bell tower is lavishly decorated with unique sebka panels, an architectural detail that adds a distinctive and exotic touch to the convent complex.
The convent, in its heyday, once had two cloisters. However, one of them was demolished during the Mendizábal confiscation in 1850, and today the citys retail market stands in its place. The surviving cloister, dating from the 16th century and built in the Mudejar style, features arches framed by alfiz arches on octagonal pillars, while the upper section features segmental arches on Tuscan columns. This cloister is an architectural gem that reflects the mastery and aesthetics of the Mudejar style.
The popular Franciscan devotion to the Holy True Cross was established within this convent, a tradition that has been kept alive throughout the centuries through the Ancient Archconfraternity of the Holy True Cross, Our Father Jesus of Nazareth "The Poor," and Our Lady of Hope. This brotherhood is the oldest known historical brotherhood in the city, with the earliest data obtained from the Franciscan Custodia of Seville dating back to its disappearance in 1499. The image of Jesus of Nazareth "The Poor," sculpted by Domingo Sánchez Mesa in 1950, is especially venerated in Vélez-Málaga and is popularly known as "The Lord of Vélez." Since 1960, this image has been given an annual blessing, which is eagerly awaited with great devotion. In recognition of its importance, the Vélez-Málaga City Council awarded it the Gold Medal of the City in 2000, making it the first Holy Week and Glory image in the municipality to receive this honor.
The original convent church was modified by Baroque renovations in 1720, which masked its original Mudejar coffered ceiling. The church consists of a central nave with attached chapels and a dome completely covered in plasterwork. Inside the church, the Chapel of the Good Shepherd stands out, a small church with its own nave, choir stall, presbytery, and dome. This chapel is richly decorated with a profusion of Baroque plant elements, leaves, garlands, and fruits, offering a visual spectacle that reflects the exuberance and splendor of the Baroque style.
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