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If you like 17th and 18th century churches, especially of the Baroque variety, Ouro Preto has quite a treat for you. The town is packed with churches. It seems like they are just around every corner.
Most churches charge a small entrance fee to help with maintenance and preservation. I didn’t visit the interior of any of the churches.
São Francisco de Paula
The Church of São Francisco de Paula (Igreja São Francisco de Paula) is the first church you will likely encounter, just a short walk from the bus station. It was built between 1804 and 1898. There’s a large cemetery outside of the church, and many locals believed if they were buried there, they would reach heaven faster.
Church of St. Joseph
Down the hill from it is another smaller church, the Church of St. Joseph (Igreja São José), built between 1752 and 1811. It replaced a smaller chapel built in 1730.
Our Lady of the Rosary
Down another hill from there is the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Homens Pretos). It was constructed between 1762 and 1793 after being given a land grant by the city.
Our Lady of Pilar
At the bottom of yet another hill sits the 1731 Church of Our Lady of Pilar (Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Pilar). It was built to show off the wealth of those who ordered it. The church was elevated to a basilica in 2012.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Up a very steep hill is the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo). It was built between 1767 and 1795.
Church of St. Francis of Assisi
The crown jewel of Ouro Preto’s churches is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi (Igreja São Francisco de Assis), near Tiradentes Square (Praça Tiradentes). It was built between 1766 and 1802. The ornate artwork in the church was created by two of Brazil’s finest architects and artists, Aleijadinho and Manoel da Costa Ataíde. The cemetery (Cemitério São Francisco de Assis) is on the church grounds.
Our Lady of Conception
Finally, down the hill from St. Francis of Assisi is another church in what seems to be a crumbling state. The Church of Our Lady of Conception (Igreja Matriza de Nossa Senhora da Conceição) was built between 1727 and 1770 by Manuel Francisco Lisboa, father of Aleijadinho, both of whom are buried in the church.
