Door of Pardon, myth of the oldest Catholic Temple in Cuba

At the heart of the historical center in the city of Sancti Spiritus, the oldest catholic temple in Cuba stands. It was built in the 17^th century. This temple treasures interesting stories. One of them has been less known and deals with an unexpected burial which was revealed thanks to the curiosity of some.

At the main door of the Parish Church, declared National Monument in 1978, we can find the Door of Pardon. It is said that Lady Rosa del Castillo y Barroso was buried there by her own free will.

It is also said that she was married at the age of 13 and was prodigiously beautiful, but she was also vain before the poverty of the rest of people.

Lady Rosa, who died young, made known in her will that she wanted to be buried under the Door of Pardon, also known as the Holy Spirit Temple. Therefore, all parishioners could walk in and out the place where her corpse laid.

Data consulted by the Historical Archive of the Province points out that it looks like the young lady, in her final days, feared the sin of having been too arrogant due to her wealth and considered such request in her will as a sign of humbleness.

According to what was known, Lady Rosa died on May 18, 1775. She was 22 when she passed away. And the clause in her will was real. Thus, some people started the search of the alleged door in 1988 while restoring the temple and an ossuary was found with bone fragments.

Some documents suggest that the burial of Lady Rosa at the Door of Pardon is just a legend. Nonetheless, other documents certified the early death of the girl as well as the observance of her last will.

Perhaps visitors who are familiar with this story may think of Lady Rosa with a feeling of regret and wanting God to pardon her for her ingratitude.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Diaz // CubaSi Translation Staff