Belvís Park, Convent of Belvís and `Seminario Menor´

Belvís Park follows an elongated watercourse, made up of several meadows watered by a small stream. The walls, terraces and historical paths, such as the picturesque lane called As Trompas, have been respected in the project of this green `non-building area´ that both separates and links the old town and the large buildings of the Convent of Belvís and the `Seminario Menor´, forming a kind of natural moat bordering the medieval town. Its highest part provides singular views of the entire city.

Founded in the 14^th century, the Convent of Belvís was rebuilt during the baroque period by the Mexican archbishop Monroy, who belonged to the Dominican order. The church was designed by Fernando de Casas y Novoa –the same one that designed the Cathedral façade facing Plaza del Obradoiro- who applied his characteristic geometric-vegetation decoration to the communion façade. The discalced Dominican nuns inhabiting it make delicious biscuits, which can be bought in the convent.

The `Seminario Menor´ is a large building that stands out in Santiago´s cityscape because it is also located on the top of a hill. Built in the 1950s, following the eclectic style that was popular in Spain at that time, it houses a school, a seminary and a pilgrim hostel.