Probably one of the most famous churches in Rio de Janeiro, Candelária certainly deserves a visit.
They say that it owes its existence to a promise made by Antônio Martins da Palma and his wife, Leonor Gonçalves. During a boat trip to Rio de Janeiro, the couple had to face a very strong storm that nearly destroyed their vessel. Since they worshiped Nossa Senhora da Candelária (Our Lady of Candelária), they promised the Saint they would build a church in her honor if they reached their destination safely. They survived the storm and kept their promise, building a small chapel on Praça Pio XI, which would then become the imposing Candelária. It was renovated using stone extracted from the Candelária Quarry, on Morro da Nova Sintra (New Sintra Hill), Catete.
Considered one of the most beautiful churches in Rio, its vertical facade faces Guanabara Bay and is a legacy of Gothic and Neo-Classical architecture. Clocks are installed in its two towers, with one indicating the hour and the other indicating the days of the month and week, and also the lunar phases.
The church interior follows an Italian Neo-Renaissance style, with Italian marble covering the walls and columns. The church also has magnificent paintings inside. Its roof has six panels that tell the early history of Candelária Church, from the voyage of its founders until the first consecration.
Candelária also houses a museum, an archive with documents from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and a library. In addition, there are periodic photographic exhibits and meetings to recover and disseminate Candelária’s history and art. As well, Candelária is a historic site of political struggle, demonstrations, strikes and the like.
Continue away from Candelária and turn left on Av. Rio Branco. Walk until you reach Rua do Ouvidor and turn right.
They say that it owes its existence to a promise made by Antônio Martins da Palma and his wife, Leonor Gonçalves. During a boat trip to Rio de Janeiro, the couple had to face a very strong storm that nearly destroyed their vessel. Since they worshiped Nossa Senhora da Candelária (Our Lady of Candelária), they promised the Saint they would build a church in her honor if they reached their destination safely. They survived the storm and kept their promise, building a small chapel on Praça Pio XI, which would then become the imposing Candelária. It was renovated using stone extracted from the Candelária Quarry, on Morro da Nova Sintra (New Sintra Hill), Catete.
Considered one of the most beautiful churches in Rio, its vertical facade faces Guanabara Bay and is a legacy of Gothic and Neo-Classical architecture. Clocks are installed in its two towers, with one indicating the hour and the other indicating the days of the month and week, and also the lunar phases.
The church interior follows an Italian Neo-Renaissance style, with Italian marble covering the walls and columns. The church also has magnificent paintings inside. Its roof has six panels that tell the early history of Candelária Church, from the voyage of its founders until the first consecration.
Candelária also houses a museum, an archive with documents from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and a library. In addition, there are periodic photographic exhibits and meetings to recover and disseminate Candelária’s history and art. As well, Candelária is a historic site of political struggle, demonstrations, strikes and the like.
Continue away from Candelária and turn left on Av. Rio Branco. Walk until you reach Rua do Ouvidor and turn right.
