Church of Our Lady of Ó, Colonial church in Sabará, Brazil
The Church of Our Lady of Ó is a religious building in central Sabará with a symmetrical stone facade and prominent bell towers. Its spacious interior features wooden trim and an altar ensemble distinguished by gold leaf application.
The building dates from the late 18th century when gold mining shaped the economic prosperity of Minas Gerais. Its construction shows how local wealth was channeled into religious monuments and local craftspeople participated in its creation.
The name draws from Portuguese Christ Child devotion and reflects the religious practices settlers brought from Europe. The gilded wooden altars inside show how wealthy parishioners expressed their faith through elaborate decoration.
The church is located in the old town and is easily reached on foot; the best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when fewer people are around. It helps to wear comfortable shoes since the surrounding streets are narrow and paved with stones.
The detailed carvings on the facade and interior were created by craftspeople who passed their knowledge across generations, continuing medieval techniques into the 18th century. These details are easily overlooked but they reveal how European methods transformed into a new tradition in the colony.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
