Archives

All posts for the day April 26th, 2012

COLORFUL BRAZIL: Igreja São José (St. Joseph Church), Ouro Preto (MG)

Posted by adrianoantoine on April 26, 2012
Posted in: Architecture, Brazil, Church, Minas Gerais, Photography, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Igreja São José, OURO PRETO (MG)

Ouro Preto is one of the most interesting historical cities in Brazil. The city is located at about 90 km south of Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais. Last year, Ouro Preto (‘Black Gold’)  celebrated the third centenary of its foundation. For a long time the city was called Vila Rica, and was the second capital of the state of Minas Gerais, after Mariana. In 1897, Belo Horizonte became the new capital.
Ouro Preto is widely known for its unique historical center that contains a large number of buildings that date back from the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Many buildings were built in the baroque style. The famous sculptor Aleijadinho had worked on a great number of those buildings.
Ouro Preto is also known for its churches. Anywhere in the city, one may observe a number of church towers. The churches and chapels are dedicated to various saints. The Igreja on the picture is dedicated to Saint Joseph, father of Jesus, and patron saint of travelers. In 1730, a small chapel was constructed, probably of wood and mud, by poor locals. In 1752, the construction of a new church was started, which lasted until 1811. Aleijadinho had sculpted the altar. There is a small graveyard, which was constructed after the ban of burials inside the church in 1810, and where is a mausoleum of author Bernardo Guimarães. In 1889, the church gained the title ‘Imperial Chapel’, granted by Dom Pedro II.

More information (in Portuguese): this link

The original picture was taken in September 2008

Click HERE  for general information about BELO HORIZONTE

Related articles
Advertisement