Museum
Porta Coeli Church
16 locals recommend,
Tips from locals
Ed
December 20, 2021
Porta Coeli “Doorway to Heaven”, originally a convent and a school El Convento de Santo Domingo de Porta Coeli. This church is the most famous attraction in the town of San German, one of the oldest churches in the Americas and the oldest church under the United States jurisdiction. When the town of San German was established on September 18, 1531, Empress Isabel, issued a decree whereby 200 decats be given to the Dominican priest in order to help to build a monastery for their Order in the Town of San German. The original building was ruined by the attack of the French and Caribs, by 1544 only a dwelling of boards and 2 friars were left. The building that was originally built in 1609 had to be demolished in 1874 because of the abandoned conditions. In 1949, Monsignor McManus, the bishop of Ponce transferred the property to the Department of Public Works, and the restoration was completed by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, work was finalized by 1960 and was turned into a religious museum with religious art from XVI to the XIX centuries. The style of Porta Coeli is northern Spanish Romanesque with rubble masonry and stucco surfaced walls and a beautiful wood truss roof. For many years the church was painted a bright orange, recently the stucco walls were repainted to white, its original color. Special thank you to "Puerto Rico Travel Guide for the information.
Porta Coeli “Doorway to Heaven”, originally a convent and a school El Convento de Santo Domingo de Porta Coeli. This church is the most famous attraction in the town of San German, one of the oldest churches in the Americas and the oldest church under the United States jurisdiction. When the town of…
Suheily Ann
January 21, 2016
It's the second oldest church in the Caribbean, turned into a religious-art museum. Very beautiful, very impressive. Our close friend Guido is the curator.
Anibal
August 1, 2018
This the oldest church in the western hemisphere. Now it is a musuem.
Carlos
May 22, 2017
The oldest chapel in "The New World" is now a museum of Religious Art, in the heart of San German -Puerto Rico's second oldest town (after San Juan). Located in a picturesque plaza that brings you back in time. Nicely preserved colonial Architecture can be appreciated in the streets of the town center, right around the two main plazas.
Jose
July 5, 2021
Museo de Arte Religioso
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Location
Calle Felix Arce Lugo
San German, San Germán