This 500-year-old church is one of Brazil’s oldest religious landmarks and the location for a lively annual celebration that honors the city’s patron saint.
Our Lady of the Remedies Church (Igreja Nossa Senhora dos Remédios) is a haven of tranquility amid central Arraial do Cabo. Admire its well-preserved exterior, spot icons and attend mass services. Our Lady of the Remedies Church dates back to the foundation of the city in the early 1500s, making it one of the nation’s oldest churches. It is also thought to have been the site of the first indoor mass held in Brazil.
This modest white-washed building stands on a platform surrounded by a fence. The blue-painted doors and window frames are characteristic of the Portuguese colonial style. Above the entrance is a simple cross and to the left of here is a bell tower. Steps lead from the street and through the center of a garden to the doorway. Statues of angels decorate the garden.
Inside, the simple yet gracious white and blue décor continues. Rows of wooden pews sit at the sides of the nave, which has a black and white checkerboard floor. Icons of saints add ornamentation to the niches and walls. A statue of Our Lady of the Remedies, which is the title given by the Trinitarian Order to the Virgin Mary, is the centerpiece of the altar.
An interesting time to visit the church is in October for Our Lady of the Remedies Feast Day (Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios). Join the devotees at processions and sermons. Enjoy performances by Brazilian pop musicians, gospel choirs and rock bands. The festival’s events are free of charge.
The church is close to several major city attractions such as Daniel Barreto de Marco Square (Praça do Cova), Dos Anjos Beach and Forno Port. Nearby is a historic stone plinth that honors the arrival of Amerigo Vespucci in 1503.
A sign outside Our Lady of the Remedies Church shows the days and times of mass services.
