São Francisco Church and Convent, Baroque Catholic church in Salvador, Brazil
The São Francisco Church and Convent stands in the historic center of Salvador and displays three doorways flanked by paired bell towers built from local sandstone. Inside, the space divides into three aisles lined with side chapels, a gilded chancel, and a sacristy adorned with painted ceilings.
Franciscans began building the complex in 1708 after their earlier site was destroyed during the Dutch invasion. The main structure was completed by 1723, though decoration and convent work continued for decades afterward.
The church interior contains 55,000 azulejos tiles, the largest collection in Latin America, alongside extensive gilded woodwork and painted decorations.
The church opens regularly for visitors who want to see the gilded carvings, tile panels, and side chapels throughout the nave. The main entrance leads directly into the interior, where you can explore several levels and rooms at your own pace.
The sacristy displays a ceiling painting that depicts scenes from the life of Mary, surrounded by gilded panels covering every wall. This room is considered one of the most richly decorated church interiors in Brazil.
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