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“...that Plaza, completed in
1740 ; San José, and Santa Ana, which has a handsome
altar service of hammered silver. A visit should also
be paid to the historic “ flat arch ” of Santo Domingo,
a church which was destroyed by fire in 1737. Only
part of the walls and the arch now remain. This
church was built by the Dominican Monks, who experi-
enced great difficulty in designing and building a suitable
support for the organ loft. Arch after arch was built,
but each one collapsed. Then one of the monks hap-
pened to have a dream in which a perfect arch was
revealed to him. On awakening next morning, he at
once made a plan of this arch, which was duly constructed
by the worthy monks. When the supports were about
to be withdrawn, the monk, with folded arms, stood
below the arch to show his confidence in its stability,
and from that day to this it has remained in position,
and has braved earthquakes, fire, and the scepticism of
architects. This story recalls the courage of Sir Chris-
topher Wren, who...”
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