MARIANA(MG)
Mariana, at 110 km from Belo Horizonte, was the first capital of the state of Minas Gerais, until neighboring Vila Rica (now Ouro Preto) was appointed to become the new capital. The name is derived from Mary of Austria, wife of the Portuguese king Dom João V. The historic center exhibits many buildings in baroque style. The postal card of Mariana is without doubt the adjacent churches of São Francisco de Assis and Nossa Senhora do Carmo. The famous sculptor Aleijadinho (‘the little cripple’) contributed to the São Francisco de Assis Church. The interior is a good example of the baroque richness of that era.
The picture is a compilation of separate images, joined with the help of Autopano software.
The original pictures were taken with a Canon PowerShot A1100 IS
f/2,7, 1/30 sec. ISO-250
Related articles
- COLORFUL BRAZIL: São Francisco de Assis Church, Belo Horizonte (MG) (adrianoantoine.wordpress.com)
- Historic Minas Gerais: CONGONHAS. (01) An Overview (insiderbrazil.wordpress.com)
- Historic Minas Gerais: CONGONHAS. (02) The Twelve Prophets I: Amós (insiderbrazil.wordpress.com)
- Historic Minas Gerais: CONGONHAS (03): The Twelve Prophets II: Abdias (Obadiah) (insiderbrazil.wordpress.com)
- Historic Minas Gerais: CONGONHAS (07): The Twelve Prophets VI: Daniel (insiderbrazil.wordpress.com)
- Historic Minas Gerais: CONGONHAS (05): The Twelve Prophets III: Baruc (Baruch) (insiderbrazil.wordpress.com)
- Historic Minas Gerais: CONGONHAS (08): The Twelve Prophets VII: Jeremias (Jeremiah) (insiderbrazil.wordpress.com)
- Historic Minas Gerais: CONGONHAS (04): The Twelve Prophets III: Jonas (Jonah) (insiderbrazil.wordpress.com)
- Historic Minas Gerais: CONGONHAS (06): The Twelve Prophets IV: Isaías (Isaiah) (insiderbrazil.wordpress.com)
- History of Belo Horizonte (belohorizontebrazil.wordpress.com)
Adriano Antoine 
Very beautiful church. Our churches are very modest when compared with this. I just wonder about what material the roof is made of?
Bom dia!
LikeLike
Um bom dia também!
This church is a good example of the baroque style. European baroque adapted to the Brazilian culture. At that time, extraction of gold, diamonds, and gemstones generated wealth among the citizens of the historic cities as Mariana and Ouro Preto. There was even some kind of covert competition who was able to show his wealth at best.
As far as I know, the roof is constructed of wood, covered by tiles. Many churches of that era now suffer problems of these roofs, because of the age, rainfall and lack of maintenance. Fortunately, the Brazilian IPHAN (taking care of the monuments) has many reconstruction and restoration projects going on.
LikeLike
Thank You. I was not sure if it is wooden, I thought so. With maintenance we have nearly same kind of problems. We have snow during winter months and the outside roof might have problems in those cases when all the church is wooden built and we have plenty of wooden churches.
We have solved the problem with tar. Yes, in many countries it is forgotten, but we use it still and of course we made tar.
Here is one excellent example of using tar.
Strange bell tower
LikeLike
It’s a challange to always be original but I think what you’re doing is great. Keep up the good work.
LikeLike
Thank you for your nice comment, Barton 🙂
LikeLike
Very beautiful photo, AdrianoAntoine! I live in Mariana since more then three years. The Igreja São Francisco de Assis is one of the most beautiful churches here, perhaps the most beautiful. Many ancient buildings here suffer from ‘cupim’, termites, too. Happily there is a lot of knowledge about fighting those insects who eat the wood from the inside.
Até à próxima!
LikeLike
Thank you very much for your comment, Constantino. I arrived in Belo Horizonte in DEC 2004. I have visited Mariana twice, and neighboring city Ouro Preto various times. Every time when I visit a historical city, I am amazed about the richness of that era. Abraços 🙂
LikeLike