Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis, Baroque Catholic church in Pelourinho, Salvador, Brazil

The Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis has a Plateresque limestone facade carved in high relief, with a central portal flanked by two side doors. A statue of Saint Francis stands in a niche above the entrance, surrounded by caryatids, winged figures of Hermes, and half-figures with acanthus leaves. A skull symbol at the top represents death and the fragility of human life.

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 church stands behind a small churchyard on Largo da Ordem Terceira, a short walk from Terreiro de Jesus. The iron fence and masonry pillars of the forecourt frame the carved portal; step back to the far side of the square to see the gable, cross and finials whole. The interior, with its azulejos and roca saints, is visited separately from the street view.

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.