Church of Saint Peter of the Clergymen, 18th-century baroque church in Mariana, Brazil
The Church of Saint Peter of the Clergymen is a baroque building with an unusual floor plan based on two interlaced ellipses and a rectangular section for the sacristy. Two towers accent the facade, and the interior contains large wooden sculptures and a distinctively designed altar area.
Construction started in 1753 and stretched across many decades, with the two distinctive towers added only in the 1920s. This extended building process reflects the economic and logistical challenges that caused the structure to take shape gradually over time.
The Brotherhood of Secular Priests who established this site shaped religious practice in Mariana through their own ceremonies and gatherings. The interior decoration still reflects the values and customs of this community that once met here.
The site is open on weekday afternoons and mornings, with slightly earlier Sunday hours. Plan to bring small bills or coins as an entrance fee is charged.
Inside stands one of the largest wooden saint statues in the region, and the altar is notable for being made from raw cedar wood without paint or gilding. This unfinished craftsmanship gives the interior a rare, understated character quite different from typical baroque richness.
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