Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Located in the Pra莽a XV square, in downtown Rio, the Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is an old Carmelite church which served as the city's cathedral (S茅) from around 1808 until 1976. During the 19th century, it was also used successively as the Royal and Imperial Chapel by the Portuguese royal family and the Brazilian imperial family, respectively. It is one of the most important historical buildings in the city.
Apart from being of exceptional historical value for the city and the country, this former cathedral has one of the most harmonious interior decorations among the churches in Rio. The walls, chapels and ceiling are covered with ornate Rococo (late Baroque) woodwork showing lightness and unity in style. The decoration was executed after 1785, mainly by one of Rio's best Rococo wood carvers of the period, In谩cio Ferreira Pinto, who was also responsible for the main altarpiece. The upper walls of the one-aisled nave have a series of balconies and oval paintings of the Apostles by painter Jos茅 Leandro de Carvalho. Later reforms did not substantially alter the inner decoration, but the fa莽ades were almost completely remodeled in the early 20th century.
Why You Should Visit:
Whilst this church might seem a bit simple from the outside, entry into it reveals a beautifully restored interior.
Decoration includes fine painted ceilings and ornate gilt work balanced by areas of plain white wall.
The overall effect is quite beautifully elegant.
Tip:
There are a number of other things to see in the complex, including an archaeological dig.
Not all of them are open all the time; the most important is the Third Order church immediately adjacent to the Old Cathedral.
Apart from being of exceptional historical value for the city and the country, this former cathedral has one of the most harmonious interior decorations among the churches in Rio. The walls, chapels and ceiling are covered with ornate Rococo (late Baroque) woodwork showing lightness and unity in style. The decoration was executed after 1785, mainly by one of Rio's best Rococo wood carvers of the period, In谩cio Ferreira Pinto, who was also responsible for the main altarpiece. The upper walls of the one-aisled nave have a series of balconies and oval paintings of the Apostles by painter Jos茅 Leandro de Carvalho. Later reforms did not substantially alter the inner decoration, but the fa莽ades were almost completely remodeled in the early 20th century.
Why You Should Visit:
Whilst this church might seem a bit simple from the outside, entry into it reveals a beautifully restored interior.
Decoration includes fine painted ceilings and ornate gilt work balanced by areas of plain white wall.
The overall effect is quite beautifully elegant.
Tip:
There are a number of other things to see in the complex, including an archaeological dig.
Not all of them are open all the time; the most important is the Third Order church immediately adjacent to the Old Cathedral.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro on Map
Sight Name: Old Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro
Sight Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (See walking tours in Rio de Janeiro)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (See walking tours in Rio de Janeiro)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Create Your Own Walk in Rio de Janeiro
Creating your own self-guided walk in Rio de Janeiro is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Rio's Top Religious Sites
Due to the legacy of the Portuguese in language, religion, and law, Rio de Janeiro has had a rich and influential Catholic tradition. Until the mid-20th century almost all Brazilians were 鈥� at least nominally 鈥� Catholic, and today the country鈥檚 religious sites, both classic and modern, impress with their skill, creativity and devotion.
Founded in 1590 by Benedictine monks from Bahia, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Founded in 1590 by Benedictine monks from Bahia, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Rio de Janeiro Beach Walk
The Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are two of the main reasons Rio is so famous around the world. While Copacabana is a year-round tourist hub, famed for its incredible New Year鈥檚 Eve celebrations, the Ipanema and Leblon neighborhoods have the cleanest, safest, most beautiful beaches in the city, and are the favorite playgrounds of Rio de Janeiro鈥檚 upper-middle class.
Start your tour with a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Start your tour with a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Rio de Janeiro Introduction Walking Tour
Rio de Janeiro is the capital city of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was founded in 1565 by the Portuguese. It was the capital of the State of Brazil of the Portuguese Empire from 1763 until 1822.
When Brazil became independent of Portugal in 1822, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Empire of Brazil. In 1889, Brazil became a republican nation, with Rio de Janeiro as its capital. But in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
When Brazil became independent of Portugal in 1822, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the Empire of Brazil. In 1889, Brazil became a republican nation, with Rio de Janeiro as its capital. But in... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Uniquely Brazilian Souvenirs to Bring Home from Rio de Janeiro
Other than the sun, passion and football, for which Brazil is renowned and which cannot be fitted into one's luggage, picking a memorable gift from Rio is a tough job. And this is not because of the lack of suitable things to choose from, but because of their abundance. Indeed, there're...