Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
.
Main Altar
A statue of Jesus on the
cross with St. Francis by
his side graces the main
altar. The blue-and-white
tiles behind the main altar
tell the life story of the
saint. The gold-and-white
motif is offset by dark
jacaranda wood
handrailings.
VISITORS' CHECKLIST
Largo Cruzeiro de São
Francisco
,
Praça Anchieta,
Pelourinho.
Tel
(071) 3322
6430.
#
8am-5pm Mon-Sat,
8am-4pm Sun.
&
8
7
Sound & Light Show
#
11:30am & 4pm Mon &
Wed-Sat.
Igreja Terceira
Ordem de São Francisco
Rua Inácio Accioli.
#
8:30am-
5:30pm Mon-Sat, 1-5pm
Sun.
&
Detailing
of
pure gold leaf
decorates the
church interior.
Cloisters
These secluded interior
arcades are where the monks
of St. Francis would gather for
prayer or quiet contemplation.
Black Saint,
Saint Benedict
Two of the side
altars are dedicated
to black saints such
as Santa Efigênia,
an Ethiopian princess,
and São Bento, the
son of African slaves.
IGREJA TERCEIRA ORDEM
DE SÃO FRANCISCO
The ornately carved and
detailed sandstone façade of
the church of the Third Order
of St. Francis next door is the
only one of its kind in Brazil.
The façade remained hidden
for many years behind a
layer of plaster, only to be
uncovered accidentally when
wiring was being installed in
the 1930s. The church also
has a museum and a room
of Franciscan tombs.
.
Azulejos
Brought over
from Portugal
in 1743, the
decorative tiles
are based on the
etchings by
Flemish painter
Otto van Veen
in his book of
moral emblems.
Soapstone exterior
of the church
