Ruins of San Domingos Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Ruins of San Domingos
Native name Galician: Ruínas de San Domingos

Location	Pontevedra, Galicia

Spanish Property of Cultural Interest
Official name: Ruínas de San Domingos
Type	Non-movable
Criteria	Monument
Designated	1895
Reference no.	RI-51-0000070

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The Ruins of San Domingos (also known as Ruínas de San Domingos in Spanish and Galician) are the remains of an old convent. This historic site is located in Pontevedra, a city in Galicia, Spain. It was officially recognized as a special cultural landmark, called a Bien de Interés Cultural, way back in 1895.

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Discover the San Domingos Ruins

How old are the San Domingos Ruins?

These ruins are the oldest part of the Pontevedra Museum. They show us what a very old building looked like. The convent of Santo Domingo was started around the year 1282. However, the parts we can still see today were built later. Construction on the church began in 1383 and continued through the 1400s.

What parts of the convent can you still see?

Only a few parts of the original buildings are left. You can see the main apse, which is the rounded end of the church. This apse is special because it has five smaller sections. This design is quite unique for Gothic buildings in Galicia. You can also see part of the church's south wall. The entrance to the chapter house, where the monks met, is also still standing.

Why did the convent close down?

The convent closed on December 8, 1836. This happened because of a new law that affected many convents. After it closed, the building was given to a group that managed old convents. Then, in 1840, the city council of Pontevedra took over the building.

What happened to the building after it closed?

After the convent closed, the building was used for many different things. It was a prison for women for a while. It also served as a hospice, a place for people who needed care, until 1869. Later, it even became a school for young children.

Despite being used, the building slowly started to fall apart. By 1846, some of its stones were even used to pave streets! Parts of the building were torn down over time. For example, a chapel was removed in 1864. The top part of the tower was also taken down between 1869 and 1870.

How were the ruins saved?

In 1874, the city council wanted to tear down the entire building. They wanted to use the land for other purposes. The plan was approved, but with one important condition. The old church and other interesting parts had to be saved.

Who helped protect the ruins?

In 1880, there was a new plan to completely demolish the church. But many important people in Pontevedra stepped in to stop it. One person, José Casal y Lois, spoke up for others. He asked the Governor to halt the demolition work. Even though the work continued for a bit, more people protested.

In 1886, another attempt was made to tear down the ruins. But again, it failed. This was thanks to the strong opposition from many important figures in Pontevedra. The Provincial Commission of Monuments also worked hard to protect the site.

When did the ruins become a monument?

Because of these efforts, the site was saved from being completely destroyed. On August 14, 1895, it was officially declared a National Monument. This law meant that a special group, the Commission of Monuments, would take care of the building. The government would also make sure it was preserved and protected.

How did the museum start?

Just one year before the ruins became a monument, the Pontevedra Archaeological Society was founded in 1894. This group decided that the San Domingos ruins would be the perfect place for a future museum. They chose it over other buildings in the area.

In 1903, the Archaeological Society asked for space in a new building that was being built near the ruins. They wanted to show their collections there. They were given one room in 1905. Later, in 1945, they received a small patio. Here, beautiful arches from the old convent's chapter room were rebuilt. This work finished in 1947.