ChurchofNossaSenhoradoCarmodaAntigaSé

This plaque is part of the 'Praça XV' circuit. Click here to see more about this and other circuits.

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Image description: This is a photograph of a historic church. The church has a tower with a clock and a bell at the upper left. On the right, there is a main façade with two decorative side towers. On the central façade, there is a statue above a window and another statue below it. The lower façade has several windows and doors. People walk along the street in front of the church. The sky is clear and blue.

The Church of N. Sra. do Carmo was the stage for some of the most important events in the country's history in the 19th century. Its story begins with a small chapel built on the site by the Benedictines and dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Ó, right at the beginning of the Portuguese occupation.

The chapel was donated to the Carmelites when they arrived in Brazil in 1590, and it was transformed into the Chapel of the Order of Carmo.

In the early 17th century (1619), the friars began construction of the Convento do Carmo, next to the chapel, with 2 floors and 26 windows, which still stands there today (one of the few colonial buildings that survived the urban reforms).

The chapel, in turn, ended up collapsing during a ceremony, and on its ruins the current N. Sra. do Carmo Church was erected, inaugurated in 1761, almost at the same time as the Ordem Terceira church, its neighbor (following the custom of the time, the church of the third-order brothers was built close to the conventual churches).

Image description: This is a painting depicting a historic square with several important buildings. On the left side, there is a three-story building with a light pink facade, followed by a white building with columns and a red roof. In the center, a white church stands out, with two side towers and a central bell tower. To the right, there are more white buildings with red roofs, including a bell tower. In the background, mountains covered in green vegetation appear under a clear blue sky.

In 1808, upon the arrival of the Portuguese Royal Court, due to its strategic location in the city's most important Largo, Dom João VI decided to elevate it to Capela Real, transferring the city's Sé there, and requisitioned the convent to house Queen Dona Maria I and her retinue.

After Independence, the Church became the Imperial Chapel until the Proclamation of the Republic, when it was remodeled and converted into a Cathedral by Cardinal Arcoverde. It remained so until the inauguration of the Metropolitan Cathedral in 1976.

Image description: This is a painting depicting a royal wedding. The scene takes place in a grand hall, with classical architecture and hanging chandeliers. In the central section, two individuals dressed in formal attire are exchanging rings. To the left, a crowd observes the ceremony. To the right, religious figures, including a bishop with a miter and staff, attend the ceremony. The predominant colors are red, gold, and white.

The N. Sra. Do Carmo Church witnessed several historical events, such as the Acclamation of Dom João VI as king (1818), the Coronations of Emperors Dom Pedro I (1822) and Dom Pedro II (1841), as well as the weddings and christenings of the imperial family.

In December 1903, the mortal remains of Pedro Álvares Cabral were brought from Portugal and placed in a double lead-and-wood urn located in the crypt, together with the remains of Cardinal Arcoverde. Next to the crypt is the archaeological site.

Image description: This is a photograph of a church, specifically the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé. The image shows a frontal view of the central nave, with emphasis on the main altar. On the left side, there is a balcony with an open window, revealing red curtains. In the center, the altar is adorned with gold details and a prominently featured religious image. On the right, there is another balcony similar to the one on the left. The ceiling is rounded and richly decorated in gold, forming an intricate pattern. The walls are white, with gold ornaments repeating along the perimeter.

The Church was granted heritage protection status in 1941 by IPHAN and restored between 2006 and 2008.

Image description: The image shows three logos arranged horizontally, from left to right. The first logo, on the left, is blue and white with the text "RIO CAPITAL DO G20 BRASIL 2024" and a colorful symbol. In the center, there is a blue logo with the text "RIO PREFEITURA TURISMO". On the right, an orange logo with the text "RIO MEMÓRIAS". All letters are uppercase and the background is white.