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 |
Porta Coeli means "Heaven Gate" in Latin. Today, this name refers to the old Church and Convent of Santo Domingo de Porta Coeli. The church building is the only part of the original convent that still stands. It is now home to the Religious Art Museum of Porta Coeli.
This important building is located in the historic area of San Germán, Puerto Rico. It is one of the oldest church buildings still standing in both Puerto Rico and the entire Western Hemisphere.
History of Porta Coeli
In 1609, a group of religious people called the Dominican Order built the Convent of Porta Coeli. It was built on top of a hill in what is now the town of San Germán. The famous church building, which started as a small chapel, was built in 1692. It looked over a small town square.
After strong earthquakes in 1717 and 1737, the convent was rebuilt. A new church was also constructed next to it during the 1700s. This church had a single main room and was made from stone and plaster. It had a wooden roof.
In 1949, important people like Ubaldino Ramírez de Arellano and Senator Santiago R. Palmer helped sell the Porta Coeli church. It was sold to the Government of Puerto Rico for just one dollar. This was done so the government would protect and preserve it. Even though it is no longer used for regular church services, the building has become a symbol of the Roman Catholic faith in Puerto Rico. It is also a famous landmark in San Germán.
The building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It was listed as "Convento de Porta Coeli." Later, in 1994, it was also recognized as an important part of the San Germán Historic District. It was also added to the Puerto Rico Register of Historic Sites and Zones in November 1994.
In 2015, the church and former convent celebrated its 410th anniversary. Many events were held, including religious and cultural activities. These events were organized by the local church, the Dominican Order, and different parts of the Puerto Rican government. They celebrated the building's long history and its role in the story of San Germán and Puerto Rico.
Religious Art Museum
After being restored by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, the church now holds the Religious Art Museum of Porta Coeli. This museum was the first of its kind in Puerto Rico. It was started by Ricardo Alegría in 1960.
The museum displays religious paintings and wooden carvings. These artworks date back to the 1700s and 1800s. Some interesting items include altarpieces in the Baroque style. There is also a statuette of the Black Virgin of Montserrat and religious figures from Puerto Rico and Mexico.
See also
In Spanish: Convento de Santo Domingo de Porta Coeli para niños
