MUSEUM

Today thirteen professed contemplative nuns live in the Monastery of Saint Catherine of Cusco. They are followers of the first nuns of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order) of the Monastery of Prulla, founded in 1207 by Saint Dominic of Guzman. Their main spiritual task is to support with their prayers the preaching activities of friars and of the Church in general. The rules of the Order prescribe for them a strictly cloistered life, although this restriction has been softened in recent decades. Their cells are located in the two interior cloisters behind the temple. Since the colonial period the nuns of the Monastery of Saint Catherine have become famous for their sophisticated embroideries of liturgical vestments and saints' robes, and for their delicious pastry.

The permanent exhibition of the Monastery was reorganized in 2008-2009, in order to reproduce the atmosphere and the customs of the monastic life which has conserved many old traditions for hundreds of years. The objects on display date from different historical periods, ranging from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Several rooms typical of a nunnery have been reconstructed: the Workroom, the Chapter House, the Refectory, the Novitiate, the Foundress’s cell, among others. The colonial period art works are on show at the specialized art gallery, or Pinacoteca, as well as being distributed among the other exhibition rooms.

    Español