Nobody Asked Me, But-No. 166: Hotel History: Hotel El Convento, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico*

Stanley Turkel | September 6, 2016

By Stanley Turkel, CMHS Located in the walled city of Old San Juan, the Hotel El Convento is a former Carmelite convent dating back to 1651. The Monasterio del Señor San Jose was founded by Doña Ana Lanzos, a wealthy widow who donated her money and her magnificent residence with a large double-sloped tile roof. Three Carmelite nuns from Santo Domingo served as founders. The building was expanded between 1854 and 1861 after the original structure was demolished. Governor Fernando de Norzagaray helped raising the necessary funds and personally inspected the project daily. Certain elements stand out in the facade of the chape...