Four convents for nuns had already been established in Santiago when the Capuchin nuns of Madrid petitioned for an establishment of their own. The City Council opposed the building of the convent, reporting to the King that
the country was too poor to support another convent. But, as was the case
with the Recollects (another convent), the City Council lost. By royal decree
on May 5, 1725, the Capuchin nuns were given approval for their new establishment, provided that the convent limited its population to twenty five nuns, five of whom should be lay members.

The decree established establish the convent came as somewhat of a surprise to the City council since their protest had been lodged as a formality in recognition of an earlier royal decree that prohibited the founding of additional cloistered establishments

Probably the decisive factor in the Kings suspension of the latter decree was that all previous convents in Santiago required a dowry for entrance. The Capuchin nuns would do a service by allowing many good but destitute women entrance into religious life without a dowry. And so the Convent and Church of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza (nicknamed Capuchinas due to the nuns brown habit) was approved.

Partially a ruin today, the old convent houses the office for the National Council for the Protection of La Antigua Guatemala. Its unique tower is well worth a visit. Capuchinas is a favorite ruin in Antigua and right across the street from Casa Capuchinas.