“Mankind, in his haste for development, has consistently destroyed most vestiges of his past. Antigua was saved from such a fate from one of the ultimate natural forces: the 1773 earthquakes severed the relationship between man and an already great city." ~Elizabeth Bell
The site of La Recoleccion is currently one of the largest ruins in La Antigua. At its pinnacle it was a significant church and monastery to the Order of the Recollects. It had important influence on the lives of the people in La Antigua. The site was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 leaving the remaining architecture in rubble as seen today. Located in the western edge of La Antigua the site is isolated from the urban fabric and is surrounded on three sides by open space and forests. However, it is still respectfully seen as a cultural landmark and even after death, La Recoleccion is a significantly influential icon of La Antigua’s identity.
