Convents, monasteries and urban property in 19th century Lima: the Buenamuerte case

Abstract

This article analyzes the processes of expropriation and repossession of urban property in Peru during the 19th century, using as a case study the Convento de la Buenamuerte, a small male religious order established in Lima since the end of the Colonial period. The author approaches a series of general research problems related to the topic in order to make a general introduction that might be useful for future studies. Along with other themes, the text attempts to deal the logic behind the medium term juridical instruments created by the independent Peruvian State for repossessing properties; the deterioration of State owned properties; the social identity of those benefited by the process; the evolution of Peruvian Catholic Church owned properties and those of the religious orders; the absence of a real process of ecclesiastic repossession comparable to that of other Hispanic american realities, etc. All these subjects are analyzed through documents belonging to the Colección Terán held in the Peruvian National Archive (AGN).