Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis, Baroque Catholic church in Pelourinho, Salvador, Brazil
The Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis is a baroque Catholic building in Pelourinho featuring a richly carved sandstone facade. Its surface is covered entirely with intricate relief decorations, a rarity in Brazilian religious architecture.
Construction of the church began in 1702 under master Gabriel Ribeiro's direction and progressed rapidly. The interior was later renovated between 1827 and 1828, replacing original baroque altars with neoclassical designs.
Portuguese tiles on the walls depict scenes of Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake and royal processions, telling stories of Portugal's past. These decorative panels connect the church to its homeland through visual storytelling.
The facade is visible from the street, so no special access is needed to view the exterior. The best view comes from the plaza level where you can step back and take in the full carved surface.
The elaborately carved facade lay hidden under plaster for about a century until an electrician accidentally uncovered it in 1932 while installing electrical wiring. This chance discovery led to the restoration of the original stone decorations.
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