Convento de San Gil, Toledo facts for kids
The Convento de San Gil is a historic building in Toledo, Spain. It used to be a convent for monks. Today, it is a very important government building. It is the home of the Cortes of Castilla-La Mancha, which is like the parliament for the region.
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A Building's Journey Through Time
The Convento de San Gil was built in the 17th century. It started as a home for a group of monks called the Dicalced Franciscans. People often called them gilitos. They first came to Toledo in the mid-1500s. In 1557, they set up their first home near a small chapel.
How the Convent Was Built
In the early 1600s, two brothers, Francisco and Juan de Herrera, made a generous donation. They gave the monks 16,000 ducats, which was a lot of money back then. This money was for building a brand new convent.
The construction work began in 1610. A skilled builder named Martínez de Encabo was in charge. He promised to finish both the church and the convent in just four years. It is believed that Juan Bautista Monegro helped design the building. He worked with Martínez de Encabo on other projects too.
Simple and Strong Design
The Convento de San Gil, or "Convento de los Gilitos" as locals call it, is a great example of early 17th-century Toledo architecture. It shows a simple and strong design. It doesn't have many fancy decorations.
From Convent to Parliament
Over the years, this building has had many different uses. In 1863, it became a place where people who broke the law were kept. It stayed that way until 1931. After that, it was used by the Guardia Civil, which is Spain's national police force. Later, it even became a fire station.
Since 1985, the building has been the official home of the Cortes of Castilla-La Mancha. This means it is where the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha meets.
What the Building Looks Like
The building has two main parts. There is the church, which is on the east side. Then there is the convent area, which is built around a central courtyard. Together, these parts form a large rectangular shape.
See also
In Spanish: Convento de San Gil (Toledo) para niños
- Cortes of Castilla-La Mancha
