Convento Building

The Convento Building is a former monastery residence built from adobe bricks in Mission Hills, Los Angeles. The structure features thick walls and a covered front entrance with multiple arches that define its colonial appearance.

The building was constructed between 1808 and 1822 as housing for Franciscan monks during the Spanish colonial era. When Mexico secularized the missions in 1846, the structure transitioned from religious use to other purposes over time.

The building reflects how Spanish missionaries organized their daily life and worship in California. The layout of rooms and covered walkways shows the rhythm of monastic living during the colonial period.

The building is located within a historic mission area and is accessible from outside, allowing visitors to view the structure and its architectural details. Plan time to walk around the exterior, examine the adobe walls and arches, and explore the surrounding grounds.

The original roof beams were secured with rawhide strips, a construction method from the early 1800s that reflects indigenous building practices. This technique shows how Spanish builders adapted to available materials and local craftwork traditions of the period.