Convent of Our Lady of the Angels facts for kids
| Convento de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles | |
 |
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Convento de los Descalzos |
| Order | Franciscan |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Established | 1595 |
| Archdiocese | Archdiocese of Lima |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Cultural heritage of the Nation |
| Designated date | 1972 |
| Style | Spanish Colonial |
| Site | |
| Location | Lima |
| Country | Peru |
| Coordinates | 12°02′01″S 77°01′28″W / 12.0336°S 77.0245°W |
The Convent of Our Lady of the Angels (Spanish: Convento de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles) is also known as the Iglesia y Convento de los Descalzos. It is a historic Franciscan building in the Rímac District of Lima, Peru. This special place was officially declared a cultural heritage of Peru in 1972. This means it is an important part of Peru's history and culture.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: The Convent's Story
How It Started
The Convent of Our Lady of the Angels was built a long time ago, in 1595. It was founded by the Franciscan Order, a group of Catholic priests and brothers. They received help from Archbishop Toribio de Mogrovejo. The land for the convent was given by María de Valera and her son Luis Guillén.
Where It Is Located
This old building is in the historic area of Rímac. It sits right at the bottom of the San Cristóbal Hill. To make it easier and nicer to get to the convent, a beautiful walkway was created. This walkway is called the Alameda de los Descalzos. It was built in 1611 by order of the viceroy Juan de Mendoza y Luna.
Why "Barefoot"?
The local people started calling it the "barefoot convent." This was because the Franciscans who lived there wore sandals instead of shoes. This simple footwear made them stand out.
The Building's Style
The convent has a very simple and plain design. It does not have many fancy decorations. It features long hallways and rooms that are on different levels. This is because it was built on the side of a hill. Its building style makes it look a bit like an old country house.
Its Important Role
The Franciscan convent was a very important place for teaching Christian beliefs. Missionaries, who are people who spread their faith, would leave from here. They went to teach the original peoples living in the Peruvian highlands.
The Museum Today
Today, a museum called the Museo de los Descalzos is located inside the convent. It opened on December 18, 1981. In the museum, you can see special items like relics of important saints. These include Francisco Solano, Francisco de Asís, and Antonio de Padua.
The museum also displays more than 300 paintings. These paintings come from famous art schools in Cusco, Lima, and Quito. There is also a library with over 15,000 books. These old books are made of goatskin and date from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia y Convento de los Descalzos para niños
