The convent of San José is a cloistered convent of Discalced Carmelite nuns. It was the first convent to be founded by Saint Teresa of Jesus, who had the support of important personalities, such as Bishop Álvaro de Mendoza.

It was built in 1562, although the church, its most interesting architectural element, began to be erected in 1607. It was designed by the architect Francisco de Mora, who conceived a temple with a single nave, covered with a vaulted ceiling and a dome in the transept. The façade and small square follow the Carmelite model created by the architect Fray Alberto de la Madre de Dios in San Hermengildo de Madrid.

Its main façade, configured in two split planes, with a pediment on the upper part and a portico with three arches on the lower part, was one of the most imitated in 17th century religious constructions and was adopted as a model for the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Inside is the chapel of the Guillamas, where the praying tombs of this family are kept.

Since 2005, every Holy Tuesday, an unpublished image is present at the door of the Convent. The Brotherhood of Nazarenes of Jesús Redentor ante Caifás y Nuestra Señora de la Estrella de Ávila makes the first important stop in its Station of Penitence. People from the Brotherhood present a bouquet of flowers of the Blessed Virgin of the Star which they place on the lathe of the Convent. There is a healthy union between the Brotherhood, which belongs to the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the first Foundation of Saint Teresa of Jesus.