La Recolección Architectural Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Convent and Church of the order of the Recollects |
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Iglesia y convento de La Recolección (Spanish)
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View of the park and remnants of the church at La Recolección Architectural Complex
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Spanish seismic baroque |
| Location | Antigua Guatemala,  Guatemala |
| Coordinates | 14°33′38″N 90°44′28″W / 14.56056°N 90.74111°W |
| Construction started | 1701 |
| Completed | May 23, 1717 |
| Destroyed |
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| Owner | Consejo Nacional Para la Protección de La Antigua Guatemala |
The La Recolección Architectural Complex is an old church and monastery in Antigua, Guatemala. It used to belong to a group of religious people called the Order of the Recollects. Today, it's a park with cool ruins, located in the western part of the old city.
Contents
History of La Recolección
In 1685, two religious brothers from the Recollects arrived in Antigua. More brothers came later. They asked the city leaders for permission to build a monastery.
In 1695, the city leaders thought there weren't enough brothers to build a new monastery. They also felt there were already enough monasteries in the city.
However, in 1700, the king gave permission for the monastery to be built. Construction started in 1701. Six years later, in 1707, they laid the first stone for the church itself.
By 1708, parts of the complex were finished. These included the cloisters (covered walkways), the library, and the infirmary (a place for the sick). The church officially opened its doors on May 23, 1717.
Earthquakes and Damage
Just a few months after it opened, the church and cloisters were damaged. This happened during the 1717 earthquakes that hit Antigua. After repairs, the monastery was home to 35 religious brothers by 1740.
The complex was damaged again by earthquakes in 1751. It suffered even more from the huge Santa Marta earthquakes in 1773. The church lost its main wall and much of its front section. Other parts like the walkways and choir became unusable.
Over the years, people also caused more damage to the complex. The ruins were used for different things, like a stable for animals or a soap factory. Some parts were even taken away to build other structures.
La Recolección Today
Today, the ruins of La Recolección are surrounded by a park. They are a protected national monument. You can see large pieces of stone and wall, especially inside what was once the church.
Visitors can go into the cloisters. However, the underground catacombs (burial places) are not open to the public.
La Recolección in Movies
The first scenes of the movie The Border show an earthquake. These scenes, starring Jack Nicholson, were filmed in Antigua Guatemala. They specifically used the ruins of La Recolección.
Gallery
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18th Century painting that shows La Recolección church in the background.
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Sketch from the ca. 1840. Notice how the façade had survived the earthquakes relatively well.
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Ruins of La Recoleccion in 1875. The only surviving arch was a symbol of Antigua Guatemala ruins until it was ultimately destroyed by the earthquakes of 1918 and 1976.
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Condition the complex was in towards the end of the 19th century.
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Ruins in the early 20th century.
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See also
In Spanish: Complejo Arquitectónico de La Recolección para niños
