The exhibition "Mother Stones and Wounded Memories: San Miguel de los Reyes," organized by the Vice-Rectorate for Culture and the Publications Service of the University of Valencia, immerses us in the fascinating and diverse history of this building. Based on the book published by PUV Publicacions de la Universitat de València, the exhibition, curated by Professor Antonio Tordera and photographer Rafael Bellver, takes us on a visual and documentary journey that explores the many layers of memory and transformation that have shaped this iconic site.

Through photographs, historical documents, and eloquent excerpts, the exhibition reveals how San Miguel de los Reyes has evolved over the centuries. From its origins as a Muslim alquería to its transformation into a monastery, then a prison, and finally a library, each stage of its history is presented with depth and sensitivity.

The exhibit demonstrates how this space, despite its changes, retains the spirit of its past. As you walk through its corridors, you can feel the weight of the stories that once filled these walls. Visitors will discover, through the displayed photographs, treasures that were expropriated or appropriated, such as books, paintings, and choir books, which now form part of Valencia's heritage in other institutions: the University, the Cathedral, or the Museum of Fine Arts.

Additionally, the exhibition addresses the period when the building was repurposed as a prison, first for women, then for common criminals, and finally for political prisoners, a time of harshness and suffering that left a deep mark on its identity. Through a combination of photography and literature, the curators manage to capture the essence of this era and give voice to the wounded memories that still resonate in the atmosphere.

Some of the images and literary references featured in the exhibition come from authors like V. Andrés Estellés, Cervantes, Vladimír Holan, and Carmen Amaya, who help construct a rich and moving narrative about this special place.

The exhibition on San Miguel de los Reyes is a journey through time and emotions, inviting visitors to reflect on the resilience of a building that, despite its many transformations, remains a symbol of history, culture, and memory. This traveling exhibition will reach out to the public, appearing on university campuses, in public libraries, cultural centers, and art spaces. In this way, a broader audience will have the opportunity to explore the legacy of San Miguel de los Reyes and connect with its rich history and cultural heritage.