Monastery of Saint Dominic of Silos (the Old) facts for kids
The Monastery of Saint Dominic of Silos (the Old) is a special kind of religious building called a Cistercian convent. It is located in the historic city of Toledo, Spain. A convent is a place where nuns, who are women dedicated to a religious life, live and pray together. This particular convent is very old and has a rich history.
Contents
Exploring the History of the Convent
When Was the Convent Built?
People believe this convent was first started a very long time ago, in the 6th century. That's over 1,400 years ago!
How King Alfonso VI Helped
After the city of Toledo was taken over by King Alfonso VI of Leon and Castile, the convent was rebuilt. A historian named Pedro de Alcocer wrote about this rebuilding. King Alfonso VI decided to dedicate the convent to a saint named Dominic of Silos.
Changes Over Time
The convent was once part of the Cluniac order, which was another group of monks and nuns. Later, it became a nunnery for the Cistercian order, which is a different branch of the Catholic Church known for its simple way of life.
Major Rebuilding in the 1500s
In the second half of the 16th century (the 1500s), the convent went through a big renovation. 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 and finished by a royal architect named Juan de Herrera.
Famous Paintings and Art
El Greco's First Works in Toledo
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 the convent's church. An altarpiece is a work of art that stands behind the altar in a church. El Greco got this important job with help from his supporter, Diego de Castilla.
Where Are the Paintings Now?
Some of El Greco's paintings are still in the convent today. However, the largest and most important painting, called The Assumption of the Virgin, is now in a museum in the United States, the Art Institute of Chicago. The main altar in the convent now has a copy of this famous painting.
A Painting for El Greco's Tomb
Years later, El Greco created another painting for the convent. This one was meant to hang above his own tomb. It is called The Adoration of the Shepherds. This painting is now in a famous art museum in Spain, the Museo del Prado.
Protecting This Historic Place
A Special Heritage Listing
The Monastery of Saint Dominic of Silos (the Old) is considered a very important building. It has a special heritage listing called Bien de Interés Cultural. This means it is protected by the government because of its historical and artistic value.
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de Santo Domingo el Antiguo (Toledo) para niños
