Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (Igreja de São Francisco de Assis)
The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is widely considered the finest expression of Brazilian colonial Baroque and Rococo architecture. Begun in 1765 in the gold-mining town of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, it was built for the Third Order of Saint Francis. Its design and much of its sculpture are the work of Antônio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho, the celebrated mulatto architect and sculptor whose carvings define the visual identity of Minas Gerais Baroque.
The church is famous for Aleijadinho's intricately carved soapstone portal, crowned with a medallion depicting Saint Francis receiving the stigmata, and for its flowing Rococo forms. Inside, the painted ceiling of the nave is the work of Manuel da Costa Ataíde, whose vivid perspective composition of the Virgin in glory is among the most admired colonial paintings in Brazil. Gilded high-reliefs and altars complete an interior of remarkable harmony and refinement.
Located in the historic centre of Ouro Preto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980 and a Brazilian national monument since 1938, the church is one of the country's most visited religious landmarks. It stands as a testament to the wealth generated by the 18th-century gold rush and to the artistry of Aleijadinho and Ataíde. Administered within the Archdiocese of Mariana, it continues to host worship while welcoming visitors who come to study its sculpture, painting and the Holy Week traditions still central to the town's cultural life.
- Location
- -20.3866, -43.5029
- Local time
- 19:39 (America/Sao_Paulo)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue–Sat | 09:00–16:45 |
| Sun | 12:00–16:45 |
Closed Mondays; small admission fee for tourists.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
-
Saint Francis of Assisi Saint
Patron of the church and the Third Order for which it was built.
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Our Lady of the Porziuncola Saint
Marian devotion associated with the Franciscan order.
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Saint Clare of Assisi Saint
Franciscan saint venerated alongside Saint Francis.
Care & donations
Archdiocese of Mariana
Admission ticket and donations help conserve the church's Baroque artworks.
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