Church of Saint John the Baptist, Portuguese colonial church in Cidade Velha, Belém, Brazil.
The Church of Saint John the Baptist is a Baroque structure featuring an octagonal nave and central dome located on Líbano Square. The building includes side chapels and an interior adorned with historical artworks and decorative elements.
The building was originally constructed in 1622 using rammed earth and later served as a prison for Jesuit priest Antônio Vieira during a 1661 uprising. A major restoration by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute in 1996 removed later neo-Gothic modifications and restored original features.
The interior displays trompe-l'œil paintings depicting scenes from the life of Saint John the Baptist. These works create an illusionistic sense of depth that transforms how visitors experience the sacred space.
The church is located in Cidade Velha and can be easily spotted from the street due to its distinctive dome. Visitors can access it by walking to Líbano Square in the historic district.
The building features quadratura paintings, a specialized technique from Bologna that creates optical depth through natural light and precise composition. This art form cleverly merges painted architecture with the actual structure of the space.
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