Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França

Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França is a church in the Penha district of São Paulo combining colonial, baroque, and gothic architectural styles in its facade and structure. The building features a main interior space with an altar and side chapels that form the core of its sacred layout.

The building was constructed between 1662 and 1668 by licensed builder Mateus Nunes de Siqueira, marking the start of settlement in the Penha area. This church later became an anchor point around which the neighborhood took shape and expanded over time.

The church serves as a spiritual focal point for the Penha community, where local residents gather for worship and personal prayer throughout the year. The space remains deeply connected to the daily lives and faith practices of people living in the surrounding neighborhood.

Access to the church is through the main doors facing the city center, and visitors can explore the interior during open hours. The location is relatively easy to reach and straightforward to find when approaching from downtown São Paulo.

Local stories tell of a French pilgrim who discovered a Virgin Mary statue at this location while traveling between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. This discovery shaped the devotion at the site and gave the sanctuary its distinctive name.