Church and Convent of São Francisco, Salvador

The São Francisco Church and Convent (Portuguese: Igreja e Convento de São Francisco) is located in the Historic Center of Salvador, in the State of Bahia, Brazil. The beautiful Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis stands right next to the convent. The kind and wise friars of the Franciscan Order came to Salvador in 1587 and built a convent and church there. But during the Dutch invasions of Bahia a century later, this building was destroyed. Father Vicente das Chagas started building the current structure in 1686, and it was finished in the 18th century.

This church and convent are very special and important. They are some of the best examples of old buildings from colonial times in Brazil. In 1938, they were officially recognized as important historic places by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage. Together with the nearby Church of the Third Order, they are one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World. They also help make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Historic Center of Salvador.

The Franciscan church and convent hold a amazing record: they have the most azulejos — beautiful blue tile paintings — in Latin America, with 55,000 tiles covering their walls. These tiles tell stories and show pictures that make the church very special and unique.

History

The friars of the Franciscan Order came to Salvador in 1587. They were invited by Dom Antônio Muniz Barreiros, the third Bishop of Bahia. Before them, the Jesuits had arrived in Brazil and built their college and chapel in 1564. The Franciscans first lived in different places and small chapels before starting to build a convent in 1587.

They built a convent and a church, but these were destroyed during attacks by the Dutch in the 1600s. Work on the current convent started in 1686 and took many years to finish. The present church and convent began to take shape in 1708 and were completed by 1723. Artists decorated the inside of the building for much of the 1700s, finishing most of the work by 1755. Next to the main church, the Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis was also built between 1702 and 1870.

Structure

The Church of São Francisco of Salvador is made from Bahian sandstone for its walls, pillars, and front. Some of this sandstone was found nearby, but other pieces came from far away in Bahia. It has eight big columns holding up the choir, also made from this special stone.

This church is special because, unlike most churches in Northeast Brazil, it has three aisles instead of just one. It also has three small chapels on each side. The church has a long, rectangular shape with a main chapel but no extra arms sticking out. Inside, the walls, pillars, and ceilings are covered with golden carved wood and paintings, making it very beautiful. There are also blue and white tiles on the lower walls showing scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

The front of the church faces a big square with a large stone cross. It has three doors and two bell towers on the sides. The top part has fancy curves and a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi. There is also a big cross in the square in front of the church, which is very important to the Franciscan order.

The cloister of the church and convent was built between 1707 and 1752. It has two levels and many stone arches. Around the cloister are blue and white tiles with pictures that tell stories with lessons, inspired by an old book of pictures.

Protected status

The São Francisco Church and Convent was named a historic building by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage in 1938. It was recorded in the Book of Historical Works, Inscription number 1, and the Book of Fine Arts, Inscription number 11. The official order for this recognition was given on March 31, 1938.

Access

The church is open to visitors and anyone can go inside to see it.