El Convento de San Pedro Apóstol

Did the stones of El Convento de San Pedro Apóstol whisper secrets of Hermigua’s past? El Convento de San Pedro Apóstol isn’t just an old building. It represents the very genesis of Hermigua. Over 400 years ago, this place sparked the valley’s urban, demographic, and economic growth. The convent became the heart of the community. It wasn’t just a place for worship, but a hub of learning and culture. Within its walls, the Dominican monks taught reading, writing, grammar, rhetoric, and theology. Imagine the lively discussions held within these very stones. El Convento de San Pedro Apóstol held a significant position in La Gomera’s religious landscape. Its history is interwoven with the island’s traditions and beliefs. An exhibition in 2011, commemorating the convent’s fourth centenary, showcased its rich history. This exhibition, held at the Archivo General Insular de La Gomera, featured photographs of the convent, its hermitage, and the surrounding Hermigua Valley. Documents from various archives, including the Archivo Histórico Provincial de Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the Archivo Histórico Diocesano de San Cristobal de La Laguna, painted a vibrant picture of the convent’s past. The monks, never exceeding ten in number, initially relied on alms and meager incomes. Over time, they gained important benefactors, which led to the convent’s elevation to a priory in 1648. The conventual school they opened served the entire northern region of the island. Sadly, with the Ecclesiastical Confiscations of Mendizábal in 1821, El Convento de San Pedro Apóstol closed its doors, leaving behind a legacy etched in Hermigua’s heart.