La ciudad dentro de la gran ciudad. Las imágenes del convento de monjas en los virreinatos de Nueva Españ‘a y Perú

Abstract

Descriptions of the great cities of the Viceroyalties in terms of great urban conglomerations dominated by an astounding number of churches and monastic establishments have afforded a recurrent visual and literary image; this was a feature which, from the late sixteenth century onwards, constituted a source of pride for natives while deeply impressing foreigners. Throughout the centuries of Spanish rule all commentators agreed in remarking on the predominance of nunneries as an inescapable presence within this landscape. An analysis of these buildings and their disposition makes immediately evident the enormous impact they exercised within the social and urban space. Far from being isolated structuresself-enclosed enclaves within the larger cityvarious aspects of these institutions show them to have maintained a close, dynamic and open relation with the surrounding urban world. These large religious complexes, along with the riches of their churches, gave public expression to that group of women whothough invisible as individuals within their rigorous isolationmade their presence felt through, for example, the architectural splendor of the buildings. On the basis of a few specific cases and their comparison, this article seeks to reconstruct, emphasize and interpret the presence of these institutions in the urban structure of the viceregal cities.