Monastery of Saint Dominic of Silos (the Old) facts for kids
The Monastery of Saint Dominic of Silos (the Old) is a special place in Toledo, Spain. It is a convent for Cistercian nuns. A convent is like a home where nuns live and pray together.
Contents
History of the Monastery
How the Monastery Began
People believe this monastery was first built a very long time ago, around the 6th century. That's over 1400 years ago! After King Alfonso VI of León and Castile took over Toledo, the monastery was rebuilt. A historian named Pedro de Alcocer wrote about this. King Alfonso VI dedicated the monastery to a saint named Dominic of Silos.
Changes Over Time
At first, the monastery followed the rules of a group called the Cluniac order. Later, it became a nunnery for the Cistercian order, which is a different group of monks and nuns.
In the late 1500s, the monastery had a big makeover. The old church, which had a special style called Mudéjar (a mix of Christian and Islamic art styles), was taken down. A new building was started by an architect named Nicolás de Vergara. Another famous royal architect, Juan de Herrera, finished the work.
Famous Paintings at the Monastery
El Greco's Artworks
A very famous artist named El Greco moved to Toledo in the 1570s. One of his first big jobs in the city was to create altarpieces for this very convent. An altarpiece is a work of art placed behind the altar in a church. El Greco got this job with help from his friend, Diego de Castilla.
Some of El Greco's original paintings are still there today. However, the main altar now has a copy of his largest painting, called The Assumption of the Virgin. The original painting is in a museum in Chicago, USA. Years later, El Greco also painted The Adoration of the Shepherds. He wanted this painting to hang above his own tomb. This painting is now in the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
Protecting the Monastery
A Special Heritage Site
The Monastery of Saint Dominic of Silos (the Old) is considered a very important historical building in Spain. It has a special listing called Bien de Interés Cultural. This means it is protected by law because of its historical and artistic value.
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de Santo Domingo el Antiguo (Toledo) para niños
