User:JorgeCorchero/Convent of the Concepcionistas (Mérida)

The Church and '''Convent of the RR. MM. Conceptionists''' is located in the surroundings of the Arch of Trajan, on Concepcion Street. It is a XVI century building run by a female cloistered community belonging to the Order of the Immaculate Conception. Every December 8 takes place in this temple, the Renewal of the municipal Vow of the city of Merida to the Immaculate Conception of Mary, a secular tradition that has been kept alive in the capital since 1620.

History
The convent was founded in 1588 by the emeritense patron Francisco Moreno de Almaraz, who participated with Francisco Pizarro in the Conquest of Peru and who also promoted the reform of the Door of Santa Maria of the Co-cathedral of Merida and the construction of the Chapel of the Virgin of the Guide.

The church of the convent was finished in 1630 under the direction of the master Hernando de Contreras.

In 2009, the Conceptionists left the convent and since then, this emblematic place of the Extremaduran capital is in disuse.

Art
The church, with a single nave, has a basilica floor plan and was built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The present roof of the conventual temple, with a lunette vault and hemispherical dome in the main chapel, was built in the first half of the 18th century. Of the interior it is possible to emphasize the main altarpiece presided by the image of the Immaculate Conception.

Vow to the Immaculate Conception
In the year 1620 the Municipal Council of Merida decided to pay homage to the Virgin by performing the solemn act of the Vow and Oath of the defense of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Since then, and uninterruptedly, the different corporations that have governed the city have been performing this historic act that serves as a prelude to the patron saint festivities in honor of Santa Eulalia.

Every December 8, in the morning, the municipal corporation leaves in solemn civil procession from the Municipal Palace. The procession, which is presided over by the maceros and the banner of the city, goes through the Plaza de España, Félix Valverde Lillo, Trajano and Concepción to the Church of the Conceptionist Mothers. Once inside, the mayor gives the baton to the Mother Superior and begins the Solemn Eucharist which is usually presided over by the Archbishop of the city. After the celebration, the Mayor, on behalf of the Corporation and the entire city of Merida, renews the Vow of the defense of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Demolition of the convent and construction of a public plaza
On December 3, 2019, the City Council of Merida acquired the Convent of the Conceptionists and the site it occupies (an area of 2,785 m2) for a total amount of 847,000 euros with the aim of converting it into a public space. For the rehabilitation and urban integration of the convent, an ideas competition was held, to which 19 projects were submitted. The winner was "Impluvium", by the Dombenitense architect José María Sánchez, who will be responsible for drafting the execution project, construction management, health and safety study during the work.

The tender budget was 2,500,000 euros with a contribution of 600,000 euros from the Mérida Central Edusi Funds. The initial execution period was 15 months from award.

The project contemplates three strategies: consolidating the perimeter and freeing the center by providing it with shade as a generator of public space, the consolidation of the Convent of the Conceptionist Sisters and the adequacy of the surrounding spaces, and a program of integrated facilities through three squares and a garden.

The new public square has a large central green space surrounded by the perimeter endowment spaces that make the transition between the old convent and the urban structure of Merida. In addition, it connects the different streets through three small squares that act as transition spaces, resolving the access.

The companies in charge of the construction of the plaza were Díaz Cubero and Al Senera. On May 23, 2022, the demolition of the outbuildings that have no historical value began in order to free up access to what was the center of the convent. This included the dwellings occupied by the nuns and Willy's hairdressing salon, whose owner had a verbal lease as lessee with the former owners of the convent. On June 8, 2022, the Government Council approved a decree declaring the urgent occupation by the City Council of Merida of the premises. The elements that were preserved were the Gothic church, the bell tower, a painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe and part of the doorways at the corners with the Rincón de los Poetas and Beatriz de Silva Street. During the week of June 21-29, 2022, the company TYGMA dismantled and removed the asbestos-containing asbestos cement from the roof of the building. On August 11, 2022, work began on the total demolition of the buildings around the convent.

In February 2023 archaeological remains were found that forced the works to be stopped and the initial project to be modified in order to relocate the columns that support the new pergola that will cover the space because these remains appeared where they were initially placed. It was necessary to carry out a technical survey to study the subsoil and determine the new location of the piles.

On May 17, 2023, the Consistory of the Monumental City and the joint venture formed by Díaz Cubero and Al Senera resumed work in the area after the modification of the project, which consisted of relocating the piles. A geotechnical study was carried out to determine their new location. While the work is being carried out, the Consortium will continue to monitor the appearance of new remains.