Fenced Convent Repentant Nuns

The convent of the Arrepentidas Nuns, also known as Santa Maria de las Egipciacas, was created by the government of the city of Barcelona in 1409 to house women of dubious reputation known as “arrepentidas”, with the aim of redirecting their situation. It was not a monastic establishment, their entrance could be forced and they could leave it if the conditions advised it. In a later age it also welcomed adulteresses, even to protect them from the wrath of their husbands.

Domingo Balet carried out the project in 1874 of a door and wall to protect the main door of the convent.

The year 1909 and as a consequence of the protest against the conscription of soldiers to go to war in Morocco, was the spark of an urban revolt with dramatic consequences known as the Tragic Week as can be seen on the postcard, the convent was Burned.

Location: The convent no longer exists but it was on Calle Aragón (between Calle Viladomat and Calle Compte Borrell)

Source: Archivo Contemporaneo de Barcelona; www.monestirs.cat