Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is a Catholic place of worship built with baroque style and Portuguese architectural influences in central Vitoria. Inside you will see four altars, a bell tower, and a small museum displaying religious objects and vestments.

Construction started in 1765 when an Afro-Brazilian brotherhood took the lead in building this sanctuary, completing it within two years using local workers. The project grew from this community's determination to establish their own worship space.

Inside you will find statues of Ethiopian saints Elesbaan and Ephigenia that show the deep connection to African religious traditions. These figures reflect the devotion that Afro-Brazilian communities practiced in this space and continue to honor today.

You will need to climb stone steps to reach the entrance, so wear comfortable shoes and plan for this physical effort. Check the opening hours ahead of time, as the church may have limited visiting hours or closure days.

Next to the church stands the former auction house Casa de Leilão, which raised money to free enslaved people from bondage. Though no longer in use, this building tells the story of how the community found ways to help their own.