The
grile is not there to keep us in, but to keep you out.
This explanation from the noons to the visitors gather the whole meaning
of a monastic life, wich is firstable respected for the architecture
of the monasterys: the outer walls, wich are pretty highto protect the
privacy of the monastic life of the ocupants, avoiding the indiscreets
looks that they could get from neighbour buildings. The absence of windows
to the exterior made the rooms of the noons, and the rest of the monastery
become dark, so they built big sunny yards, wich supplied ilumination
to read and pray.
The
architecture of the Conception Monastery in Riobamba is characterized
for its plainnes. In its construction were used traditional building
technics and materials: wide walls of adobe and less important walls
of bahareque. In both cases were used bricked mud mixed with straw.
Terra-cota was used for the tiles of the roof and for the floors of
the halls wich are framed from wood colums. The museum was opened in
1980 in a section of the monastery. This section was previusly restored
conserving its original image. Two yards were renovated and in one added
some benches, stone fountains and cobblestone floors to them. The finest
and respectfully technical participation of the Museums of The Central
Bank from Ecuador, permit to transfer the visitors the quiet atmosphere
of the monastery.
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