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Slow build
Work began in 1751, and the church was consecrated before it was finished
The Dominicans occupied the site from 1606, but only in 1751 did they begin the present building, designed by Antonio Masella Turin. The unfinished church was consecrated on 17 October 1783, and the tower was completed the next year.
The flags
A promise to the Virgin in 1806 put British flags in the church
In 1806 British troops under General William Beresford attacked Buenos Aires. Santiago de Liniers told Fray Gregorio Torres that if the city were retaken he would donate the invader's colors to the church. The invaders were defeated, and the flags are kept there.
The tower
British troops held the east tower in 1807 and cannon fire hit it
On 2 July 1807 the British attempted to seize Buenos Aires for the second time. The invaders took refuge in the east tower and resisted there, in what became known as the Battle of Santo Domingo. The tower was damaged by cannon fire and rebuilt.
Belgrano
The tomb of Manuel Belgrano stands in the courtyard
A mausoleum by the sculptor Ettore Ximenes opened in 1903 in the courtyard of the temple. It holds the remains of Manuel Belgrano, who was buried in the habit of the Dominican order.
1955
The convent was burned and looted in June 1955 and restored from 1961
During the burning of churches on 16 June 1955 the convent was burned and looted, losing most of its documents and relics. A restoration project began in 1961.
Day 2, morning
Next is Calle Defensa.
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The words are a retelling of the Wikipedia article Santo Domingo Convent, and are shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. They are checked against those articles, and a fact that is not in them is left out.