Fuentes documentales sobre la obra benéfica de doña Juana de Austriafundaciones principales, particulares y externas de las Descalzas Reales de Madrid

Abstract

Charitable foundations, both real and noble, always addressed in first place the salvation of the soul itself, and secondly the provision of ecclesiastical office or charitable aid targeted to disadvantaged society sectors. Their number was increased reaching its peak in the modern centuries. Examples of these foundations is the work of Juana of Austria, who according to the religiosity of the time and its privileged position, crystallized and merged her spiritual concerns and willingness to care by means of a group of foundations. The focus of this article is the study of the structure of these foundations, not pretending to make a thorough investigation but revealing many of the useful sources for this kind of work.