|
|
In the Holy Hill, on the way to the
Church
of Our Lady of the Rosary , is a huge three-storeyed building of
laterite which was originally lime-plastered but is now plastered with
cement. It is square on plan with a large inner courtyard, around which is
a cloistered verandah and numerous cells and halls. The vaulted ceilings
in some of the halls are tastefully painted with floral decorations and
scenes from the Holy bible.
The construction of the convent and the church of St. Monica was
commenced in 1606 and completed in 1627. The building was destroyed in a
fire in 1636 and re-built the following year.
The Convent Or The Royal Monastery
The convent is also referred to as the royal monastery on account of the
royal patronage it enjoyed. There were eleven chapels in the convent apart
from the novitiate and the seminary for girls. The church in the monastery
is dedicated to St. Mary. At present the building houses the Mater dei
Institute for nuns, which was inaugurated in 1964.