Porta Coeli (Puerto Rico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Convento de Porta Coeli
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Porta Coeli Church - San Germán, Puerto Rico
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 Location in Puerto Rico
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| Location | Plaza Porta Coeli, San Germán, Puerto Rico |
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| Built | 1609 |
| Part of | San Germán Historic District (ID94000084) |
| NRHP reference No. | 76002252 |
| Added to NRHP | September 8, 1976 |
The Porta Coeli ('Gateway to Heaven') Convent church is one of the oldest church buildings in the western hemisphere. You can find it in San Germán, Puerto Rico. Its full Spanish name is El Convento de Santo Domingo de Porta Coeli.
Contents
History of Porta Coeli
Building the Convent and Church
In 1609, a group of religious people called the Dominican Order built the Convento de Porta Coeli. It was placed on top of a hill in what is now the San Germán Historic District.
Later, in the 1700s, the convent was rebuilt. A church was also added right next to it. This church had one main room, called a nave. It was made from stone and rubble, with walls covered in stucco. The roof was built with wooden beams.
Saving a Historic Site
In 1949, some important people worked together to save the church. They included Ubaldino Ramírez de Arellano and Bishop Mac Manus. They arranged for the church to be sold to the Government of Puerto Rico for just one dollar. This was done so the government would protect and preserve this important building.
Porta Coeli as a Museum
After the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture restored the church, it became a museum. It is now called the Museo de Arte Religioso, which means Museum of Religious Art.
Inside the museum, you can see religious paintings and wooden carvings. These artworks date back to the 1700s and 1800s. In 1976, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
See also
In Spanish: Convento de Santo Domingo de Porta Coeli para niños
