“Architecture lives and survives because of its beauty, because it seduces, animates, and even inspires people. Because it is matter, and because it can if only sometimes transcends matter. 

The architecture is a personal experience, not an experience of reproductions, otherwise not survives, and becomes a mere sham. “

Jacques Herzog

 

The convent church Porta Coeli, one of the oldest churches in Puerto Rico, is considered a landmark building in theoretical and architectural terms in the light of: the significance of its ancestral origin over people and a country; the reactions after each one of the restorations and interventions, especially the one in seventies and nineties, its iconographic capacity to represent a town and an island and its role as a backdrop for many activities.

Although Porta Coeli currently serves as a museum of religious art, in the past was a monastery church that its original commitment was to spread the message of the Catholic faith, give shelter to the needy and providing education. It was founded by the Dominican Fathers by 1606 and by 1690 was built the convent and chapel. Porta Coeli, has a design that exemplifies the missionary architecture techniques of the Spanish colonial era in the Hispanic Caribbean. It has an imposing staircase, giving access to a simple structure. Above the entrance is a rectangular window that allows light enters to the chapel. The roof is gabled and is made of of royal palm wood. This rests on side walls are supported by wooden columns of Ausubo (Manilkara bidentata)

 

In many of the interpretations made by historians and architects, the ancient historical element was an essential element to understand the current condition of the convent church. In a similar way, by knowing and understanding the history of Porta Coeli and its role in the formation of Puerto Rico, the cultural and religious roots of San German and Puerto Ricans reaffirms. This is because the building has been endowed over time to be an important historical reference by which you can tell some of the most important events at the cultural to the Puerto Rican people.

Porta Coeli is characterized because it has become the ultimate place to visit when making internal tourism and educational tours in the West of the island of Puerto Rico. When you mention San German, is almost impossible to avoid thinking about it Porta Coeli. It is also used consistently as one of the symbols that are placed on souvenirs, badges and representative logos. In similar way for those who lives there, the image of the convent church has benn used to represent educational institutions and has been risen as a symbol of “sangermeñidad” as it has been included in the hymn of the municipality.

The church with its elevated location with respect to other buildings of the town and its imposing staircase has maintained its hierarchy. Both, its facade and its staircase have served as backdrop for graduations, cultural activities, cultural and political activities and even for the presentation of candidates for the Miss USA held in the Island in 1972. There have also been taken wedding photos, sweet fifteen and family trips becoming on this way in part of the personal history of thousands of families.

 

References

1. De León, Ángel J. “Polémico color de Porta Coeli El Nuevo Día 21 Feb. 1996.

2. Luis J. Torres Oliver. Historia, leyendas y cuentos de San Germán. : República Dominicana: Editora Corripio,C. por A. ,1991. Pág. 111-113,167-180,229-232.

3. Luis M. Iriarte R. Capilla de Santo Domingo de Porta Coeli. 11 de marzo de 2001. http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/panthera/301/PortaCoeli.htm

Porta Coeli Photo by Edwin-j’s