Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza y Convento de Capuchinas

Our Lady of Zaragoza Church and Convent of Capuchinas

Capuchinas as it is called was the finished on January 25th, 1736. It was the fifth convent built in the city. It was designed by Architect Diego de Torres.
 The area that used to be the church has been highly restored and has been the subject of more than one controversy. Sometimes it is used to house a public event like a concert or presentation. It has very nice gardens.
It was founded by five monastic nuns that came from Madrid. The request for the construction was filed on 1720. The King granted permission to build it on May 5th, 1725.
The church front and the interior arcs are build with stone. Iron was used for it's construction.  
It is located at 2nd Avenue North and 2nd Street (2da Avenida Norte and 2da Calle) or Calle de Capuchinas with Calle de Santo Domingo. The convent is open to the public daily. Admission is charged.
Sixteen reclusion cells for the nuns are placed in a characteristic circular shape that surround a patio. All the cells had bathroom with a common drains for all the rooms. It is said to be the only convent in America with this shape.
The first picture shows one of the patios and part of the fountain. The second shows the interior of the church. The last tree show the cells. The first is from the outside, the second is a cell that has been rebuild to show how the cells used to be, an the last shows the cells from the interior patio.

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Last modified: Guatemala, January 27, 2006

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