Igreja de São Francisco de Paula, Colonial church in Ouro Preto, Brazil.
Igreja de São Francisco de Paula is a colonial-era church in Ouro Preto with an elongated octagonal layout inside. The interior contains six altars decorated with elaborate Rococo carvings and four evangelist statues imported from Portugal.
The building was constructed between 1804 and 1898 and represents the final religious structure built during Brazil's colonial period. Construction took place under the direction of Sergeant Major Francisco da Cruz.
The church is dedicated to Saint Francis of Paula, a saint with deep roots in local religious traditions. Visitors can observe the skilled craftsmanship through the carved wooden altars and the careful decoration of religious images throughout the interior.
The church is located on Padre Jose Marcos Pena Street behind the bus station in the Sao Cristovao district. Sunday masses are held at 10:00, offering a good opportunity to visit when the space is in use by the community.
Antonio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho, created the statue of the saint for the main altar, representing an important piece of Brazilian artistic heritage. His work displays the local mastery that flourished in the region during colonial times.
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