Church of Our Lady on Monte Serrat, Religious sanctuary on Monte Serrat hill, Santos, Brazil.

The Church of Our Lady on Monte Serrat stands at the top of Monte Serrat in Santos, Brazil. Its origins go back to 1599, when Benedictine monks devoted to Our Lady of Montserrat founded it; the same order had earlier established the Abbey of the Virgin of Montserrat in Rio de Janeiro. The church is listed as a Good Class asset by CONDEPASA and as Heritage of Portuguese Influence.

The religious building was founded in 1599 and ranks among the early settlements established by Portuguese colonists in the region. Over centuries it weathered changes and grew into an important city landmark.

The church serves as a living center of Catholic worship where locals gather for regular services and spiritual observance. It represents the Portuguese religious traditions that shaped this region for centuries.

You can reach the hilltop easily by taking the funicular railway that runs daily and goes directly to the church entrance. There are footpaths around the building and viewpoints that help you get your bearings.

The devotion to Our Lady of Montserrat reached Brazil through Benedictine monks, who founded the Abbey of the Virgin of Montserrat in Rio de Janeiro in the first century of European arrival. The Santos church, dating to 1599, shares this origin and name.