Dunedin’s Catholic diocese wants to find new uses for the former St Dominic’s Priory, which included a convent built in 1877 and an 1890 girls’ school, partly clad in bluestone. With its poured concrete construction, double-glazed music rooms and... : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history

Narrow stairs led from the entrance lobby to the infirmary, allowing doctors to visit patients without passing through the rest of the convent. : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history

Music rooms were double-glazed so pupils could practice without disturbing each other but still be seen by teachers in the adjoining classroom. : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history

The boarders’ dressing room, with wardrobes along one side. : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history

A former college dormitory. : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history

The hanging staircase in the college was a considerable technical feat for the time. : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history

These next four photos, taken about the early 1980s, show (above) the nuns’ community room : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history

the entrance lobby in the priory, : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history

their parlour, : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history

and a typical nun’s bedroom. PHOTOS: DOMINICAN ARCHIVES : Inside an abandoned piece of Dunedin history