The former Convent of Santo Domingo, founded in the 16th century by the Dominican order, is one of the main historical and heritage landmarks of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Over time, this emblematic building has served various purposes: convent, educational center, library, weather station, prison during the Spanish Civil War, and soup kitchen.
Its educational legacy is especially relevant, housing grammar and Latin teachings since 1539, the Literary University of San Fernando in 1821, and the Secondary Education Institute of the Canary Islands in 1846, being an academic benchmark in the islands well into the 20th century.
The building has been modified over the centuries, with notable interventions in 1926, the 1950s, and a major restoration between 1993 and 1997. Its church, however, remains awaiting rehabilitation after a fire in 1964.
Among its most valuable features is a beautiful Renaissance cloister, with red stone columns and a wooden structure, as well as chapels decorated with Italian-inspired murals. Declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2008, the complex represents a space steeped in history and symbolism.
Today, this historic site is home to the Ciudad de La Laguna International Campus, integrating contemporary knowledge with the city's cultural heritage.
