Las Capuchinas, Antigua, Guatemala
A visit to Las Capuchinas or the Capuchin Convent, in the colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala, takes you back to an era of surprising customs and impressive architecture. The monument consists of restored sections that house offices and a museum, and other areas that are protected ruins. The entrance fee of ~ $4 USD is well worth the experience.
Las Capuchinas was founded in 1725, and completed in 1736 as a convent for the cloistered Capuchin nuns from Spain. It was designed by Diego de Porres, a well-know colonial-era architect. Las Capuchinas was home to 28 novices, most of whom were banished to the cloistered life by their families, often for defiance, an intolerable offense in a time when a woman's role in society was defined by strict mores.
The novices lived in tiny cells arranged in a unique circular configuration. Yes, I asked... the cells had "toilets" similar to the outhouse concept, but made of stone. Waste was flushed by water from an underground spring emanating from the surrounding highlands. In a nearby bath chamber, heated water was routed to large stone tubs where the nuns would bathe while clothed in special garments.
Unlike other Catholic orders, Capuchin novitiates were not required to pay a dowry to enter the sisterhood, but they had to relinquish all their worldly possessions. Once they entered the cloistered life, they also renounced all contact with the outside world, not even with their families. Their days were devoted to prayer and meditation but they used their sewing skills to generate income for operating the convent.
Below the circular courtyard is a strange subterranean chamber with acoustics that permit certain notes to resonate with amazing clarity. It is thought this eerie chamber was used for special prayer sessions, but its exact use is unknown.
From the second level, one can access the nuns' choir loft which gives a good view of the nave of the chapel, now in ruins. The choir loft was built so those attending mass could hear the nuns sing, but they would never be able to see them.
Also from the second level, on a clear day you get an excellent view of the twin volcanoes, Fuego (to the left) and Acatenango. During our visit, the cloud cover obscured the volcanoes but I did get a good photo of Cerro de le Cruz, which looks down on the city.
Having been rebuilt after the earthquake of 1751, the convent was abandoned in 1773 after another severe temblor. The Capuchin nuns then relocated to Guatemala City, taking with them all religious artifacts and anything in the convent that could be transported.
Las Capuchinas is one of many monuments in beautiful Antigua, Guatemala. Antigua is was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
~ Lisa
Las Capuchinas was founded in 1725, and completed in 1736 as a convent for the cloistered Capuchin nuns from Spain. It was designed by Diego de Porres, a well-know colonial-era architect. Las Capuchinas was home to 28 novices, most of whom were banished to the cloistered life by their families, often for defiance, an intolerable offense in a time when a woman's role in society was defined by strict mores.
The novices lived in tiny cells arranged in a unique circular configuration. Yes, I asked... the cells had "toilets" similar to the outhouse concept, but made of stone. Waste was flushed by water from an underground spring emanating from the surrounding highlands. In a nearby bath chamber, heated water was routed to large stone tubs where the nuns would bathe while clothed in special garments.
Unlike other Catholic orders, Capuchin novitiates were not required to pay a dowry to enter the sisterhood, but they had to relinquish all their worldly possessions. Once they entered the cloistered life, they also renounced all contact with the outside world, not even with their families. Their days were devoted to prayer and meditation but they used their sewing skills to generate income for operating the convent.
Below the circular courtyard is a strange subterranean chamber with acoustics that permit certain notes to resonate with amazing clarity. It is thought this eerie chamber was used for special prayer sessions, but its exact use is unknown.
From the second level, one can access the nuns' choir loft which gives a good view of the nave of the chapel, now in ruins. The choir loft was built so those attending mass could hear the nuns sing, but they would never be able to see them.
Also from the second level, on a clear day you get an excellent view of the twin volcanoes, Fuego (to the left) and Acatenango. During our visit, the cloud cover obscured the volcanoes but I did get a good photo of Cerro de le Cruz, which looks down on the city.
Having been rebuilt after the earthquake of 1751, the convent was abandoned in 1773 after another severe temblor. The Capuchin nuns then relocated to Guatemala City, taking with them all religious artifacts and anything in the convent that could be transported.
Las Capuchinas is one of many monuments in beautiful Antigua, Guatemala. Antigua is was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
~ Lisa
Posted by Sage Travelers at February 15, 2010 
Categories: World Heritage Site, Central America
Tags: Las Capuchinas World Heritage List
Categories: World Heritage Site, Central America
Tags: Las Capuchinas World Heritage List
This posting was fascinating. How sad it must have been to be banished from your family for being high spirited. I can think of many friends and relatives who might have been singing in the choir there if defiance was the criteria for getting sent to the nunnery.
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Thanks for sharing, this gives me hope to my retirement. Keep on enjoying, my new motto
"LIfe is not dress rehearsal"
Lettie
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