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It is the oldest church in Cartagena de Indias. It was founded in 1551 and its construction, which started at the end of the XVIth century was very accidented.
At first the convent was made out of hay and was located at the actual Plaza de los Coches, until a terrible fire consumed all the city and destroyed the convent, then moved to where it stands today.
In 1588, two years after the attack of Francis Drake to the city, alms of 500 pesos were granted through the Real Cédula to proceed with the repairs of the building which wasn't greatly affected by the attacks of the English pirate.
The supports (estribos) located on the side of the temple helped hold up the walls whose foundations were yielding, therefore the origin of the name Callejón de los Estribos.
Highlighted on its facade are the two bodies main entrance, the superior with less height containing an image of Santo Domingo on the center and two lateral windows, also the convex frieze.
Inside is the baroque altar with an image of Christ carved in XIXth century wood and an image of the Virgin with a crown in gold and emeralds. |
