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 friars called the Order of the Recollects. You can find it in the western part of the old city, surrounded by a park.
Contents
History of La Recolección
Building the Monastery and Church
In 1685, two missionaries from the Recollects religious order arrived in Antigua. More friars came in the following years. They asked the City Council for permission to build a monastery.
In 1695, the City Council thought there were not enough friars to support a new monastery. They also felt there were already enough monasteries in the city. However, in 1700, a special order from the king allowed the monastery to be built.
Construction of the buildings started in 1701. Six years later, in 1707, the first stone for the church itself was laid. By 1708, the cloisters (covered walkways), library, and infirmary (a place for the sick) were finished. The church officially opened on May 23, 1717.
Earthquakes and Damage
Just a few months after the church opened, Antigua was hit by earthquakes in 1717. These earthquakes damaged both the church and the cloisters. After repairs, the monastery was home to 35 friars by 1740.
The complex suffered more damage from earthquakes in 1751. Even worse were the powerful Santa Marta earthquakes of 1773. The church's main wall and much of its presbytery (the area around the altar) and crossing (where the main parts of the church meet) were destroyed. The aisles (side sections) and choir (where the singers sit) also became unusable.
Later Uses and Further Damage
Over the years, people also caused more damage to the complex. The remaining parts were used for different purposes, like a stable for animals, a soap factory, and even a sports area. Building materials were also taken from the ruins to be used in other construction projects outside the complex.
La Recolección Today
Today, the ruins of La Recolección are surrounded by parkland. They are protected as a national monument, which means they are important historical sites. You can still see large piles of stone and brick, especially inside the church.
Visitors can walk through the cloisters. However, the catacombs (underground burial places) are not open to the public.
La Recolección in Film
The first scenes showing an earthquake in the Jack Nicholson film The Border were filmed in Antigua Guatemala. These scenes specifically took place at La Recolección.
Gallery
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This 18th-century painting shows La Recolección church in the background.
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A sketch from around 1840. Notice how the front of the church survived the earthquakes quite well.
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The ruins of La Recolección in 1875. The only arch that remained was a symbol of Antigua Guatemala's ruins until it was destroyed by the earthquakes of 1918 and 1976.
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The condition of the complex near the end of the 19th century.
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The ruins in the early 20th century.
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See also
In Spanish: Complejo Arquitectónico de La Recolección para niños
