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Church and Convent of San Francisco: A Baroque Masterpiece

Discover a breathtaking Baroque masterpiece in Salvador: gilded carvings, stunning azulejos, and rich history await at the Church and Convent of San Francisco.

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The Church and Convent of San Francisco in Salvador, Bahia, is a stunning example of Brazilian Baroque architecture. Built in the 17th and 18th centuries, its unassuming facade gives way to an opulent interior adorned with gold leaf, intricate carvings, and thousands of hand-painted Portuguese tiles. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World.

A brief summary to Church and Convent of San Francisco

  • Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco, S/N, Salvador, Pelourinho, State of Bahia, 40020-280, BR
  • +55713322-6430
  • Monday 9 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-5 pm
  • Friday 9 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Dress respectfully when visiting; shoulders and knees should be covered.
  • Be aware of your surroundings, especially in the Pelourinho area.
  • Visit on a Sunday morning to witness sunlight illuminating the church's décor.
  • Check for cultural events or celebrations that may be taking place.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Terreiro de Jesus square in Pelourinho, walk southeast towards the Church of São Domingos de Gusmão. Continue along Rua Alfredo de Brito, passing the Museu Afro-Brasileiro on your left. The Church and Convent of San Francisco will be on your right, marked by its large stone cross in the Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco. No cost for walking.

  • Public Transport

    From Praça da Sé, take a local bus towards Pelourinho. Several bus lines serve this route. Alight at a bus stop near the Pelourinho district (ask the driver for the closest stop to Igreja de São Francisco). From there, walk towards the Largo do Cruzeiro de São Francisco. Expect to pay around R$4.50 for a single bus fare.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From the Mercado Modelo, a taxi or ride-sharing service (Uber/99) can take you to the Church and Convent of San Francisco in Pelourinho. The ride is short, approximately 1.5km. Expect to pay around R$10-R$15 for the ride, depending on traffic and time of day.

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Discover more about Church and Convent of San Francisco

Located in the heart of Salvador's historic Pelourinho district, the Church and Convent of San Francisco is a dazzling display of Brazilian Baroque artistry. The Franciscan friars initially constructed a church and convent on this site in 1587, but the Dutch destroyed the original structure during their invasions of Bahia in the 17th century. Construction of the present church and convent began in 1708, with the structure completed in 1723. Step inside to discover an awe-inspiring interior boasting 55,000 hand-painted Portuguese azulejos, the largest collection of its kind in Latin America. These intricate tiles depict scenes from the life of Saint Francis. The church's interior features classic Brazilian Baroque motifs, including gilded carved wood panels with leaves, pelicans, flowers, and cherubic figures. Bahia's finest sculptors created polychrome statues, while King João V of Portugal donated stone fonts. The sacristy, located behind the high altar, showcases a massive sacristy cabinet, 17th-century Portuguese azulejos, and an elaborately coffered ceiling. The adjacent convent, constructed between 1707 and 1752, features a two-story cloister with stone columns and arches. This serene space provided Franciscan monks with a place for meditation, community gatherings, and interior processions. The main façade faces the Largo do Cruzeiro, featuring a large stone cross brought from Lisbon in 1807. The church exemplifies a fusion of Portuguese Baroque elements and local Bahian influences.

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