Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceição, Catholic church in Matias Cardoso, Brazil.
The Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceição is a church in Matias Cardoso featuring two square towers and an elongated nave with a symmetrical layout. The structure displays a combination of solid stone masonry and openings designed for defensive purposes.
Construction took place between 1670 and 1673 during the bandeirantes expeditions, making it the oldest religious structure in Minas Gerais. Its establishment during this period of exploration and settlement established its role as a key center in the region's early development.
The interior displays Portuguese architectural elements with carved wooden figures and baroque woodwork that reflect the artistic taste of the colonial period. The painted ceiling panels and ornate wood carvings create a space where religious devotion is expressed through craftmanship and beauty.
The church stands at Praça Cônego Maurício, about 300 meters from the São Francisco River bank. It is an active place of worship and accessible to visitors interested in religious architecture and the region's history.
The building incorporates defensive features with solid stone angles and narrow slit-like openings in the towers that reflect the security needs of the early colonial period. This unusual characteristic shows how churches of that time served both as places of worship and as refuges.
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