Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Rococo church in Ouro Preto, Brazil.
The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is a structure in the Rococo style in Ouro Preto, built from stone with carved wooden decoration inside. The facade shows two round bell towers, curved balconies, and an entrance door with a soapstone relief of Saint Francis.
Work began in 1771 under the direction of Antonio Francisco Lisboa, who combined Portuguese building forms with Baroque and Rococo elements. Construction took several decades and was completed during Brazil's colonial period.
The structure takes its name from the Italian saint of Assisi, whose Franciscan order founded numerous churches across Brazil. Worshippers still use the interior for services and religious ceremonies, especially during Holy Week.
Visitors can view the exterior and enter the interior rooms with gilded woodwork, painted ceilings, and religious artworks. The location in the historic center makes walking access easy, and the building is usually open during daytime hours.
The floor plan follows a mathematical proportion with an octagonal interior space, unlike the rectangular layouts of many other churches from that period. This shape was unusual in the region and shows the influence of experiments with geometry and proportion.
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