Capelinha de Mosaico, Chapel in São Bento do Sapucaí, Brazil

Capelinha de Mosaico is a small chapel in São Bento do Sapucaí, Brazil, covered inside and out with colorful mosaics. The facade mixes black and white tiles with bands of red, orange, and blue, while the interior has mosaic panels and a tiered altarpiece.

The chapel began as a Santa Cruz chapel, a tradition in the Mantiqueira region to remember the dead. In 2008, artists Ângelo Milani and Cláudia Vilar covered it with mosaics, giving it its current look.

The chapel is one of three mosaic chapels in the area, and locals often stop by while walking through the center. Look closely at the panels: pieces of discarded saint statues are set among the glass and tiles, and a poem by Tarcísio Bregalda is part of the artwork.

The chapel sits on Rua Treze de Maio in the town center, an easy walk from the main square and the blue church. You can visit freely during the day, but check local conditions if you plan to see the other chapels outside town.

The mosaics include fragments of broken saint statues that were thrown away, reused as part of the design. This detail is easy to miss if you only glance at the colorful surface.