The UNESCO World Heritage Site at Congonhas, Brazil
The UNESCO World Heritage Site at Congonhas, Brazil
Congonhas, a small, historic city in the hills of Minas Gerais, is home to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Congonhas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is definitely worth a stop to see. This site is on the way from the gardens of Inhotim to the famous historic city of Ouro Preto. Congonhas is also just about 60 miles south of the state's capital, Belo Horizonte.
The site is prized for the work of Brazilian master artists Aleijadinho, his soapstone statues of the twelve prophets and the seven chapels that house sculptures depicting the Passion of Christ, but it's also worth a look for the Baroque church architecture, the Room of Miracles, and the view of the city.
The entire complex took sixty years to complete and represented a masterwork of the finest Brazilian artists of the time.
Santuário do Bom Jesus do Matozinhos
The basilica, called the Santuário do Bom Jesus do Matozinhos in Portuguese, was completed in 1772. The exterior has been well maintained, and the Italian-inspired rococo interior is a shining example of the architectural evolution in this part of Brazil. According to UNESCO, the church is notable as an important example of Baroque art in Latin America.
Soapstone sculptures in Congonhas
Aleijadinho, Brazil's most famous artist of the past, was a master sculptor despite having a debilitating disease which resulted in limited use of his hands. It is believed that he completed the sculptures with a chisel and mallet bound to his unusable hands. The sculptures of the twelve prophets here are wonderful examples of his work; each figure shows individuality and fine details of execution.
Shops next to the Sanctuary
On the hill that descends next to the church are several small buildings of shops that sell refreshments and souvenirs. One of the most common and typical souvenirs sold in this region is the ceramic lady in waiting, which can be seen in the photo. This figure is typically placed on a windowsill and represents a single woman looking for a suitor.
The Room of Miracles
Right next to the basilica are a few rooms that visitors can enter. This one, called the Room of Miracles, has been designated a federal heritage site by IPHAN. People have left objects to show their appreciation the blessings obtained through Our Father Bom Jesus’s divine intercession. It is interesting to see these slices of life and photos of ordinary Brazilians from the past and present.
Chapels at the Sanctuary in Congonhas
Below the basilica are seven chapels that descend a hill overlooking the city. This hill and the statues are referred to as the Sacred Way. The chapels represent the Stations of the Cross and house sculptures that depict the Passion of Christ, including the Last Supper and Christ being nailed to the cross.
Each chapel has a small opening in the door through which the sculptures can be viewed. UNESCO has called these sculptures "masterpieces of a highly original, moving, expressive form of Baroque art."
Aleijadinho sculpted these seven scenes from the Passion of Christ. Each scene is housed in one of the chapels, and visitors can peer through an opening in the chapel door to view the scene. The sculptures, completed between 1796 and 1800, are considered one of Aleijadinho's finest works. In fact, UNESCO considers these sculptures to be the "unquestioned zenith of Christian art in Latin America." The quality of the work is obvious, from the color to the precise forms and the emotion shown by the figures.
Congonhas, a small, historic city in the hills of Minas Gerais, is home to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Congonhas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is definitely worth a stop to see. This site is on the way from the gardens of Inhotim to the famous historic city of Ouro Preto. Congonhas is also just about 60 miles south of the state's capital, Belo Horizonte.
The site is prized for the work of Brazilian master artists Aleijadinho, his soapstone statues of the twelve prophets and the seven chapels that house sculptures depicting the Passion of Christ, but it's also worth a look for the Baroque church architecture, the Room of Miracles, and the view of the city.
The entire complex took sixty years to complete and represented a masterwork of the finest Brazilian artists of the time.
Santuário do Bom Jesus do Matozinhos
The basilica, called the Santuário do Bom Jesus do Matozinhos in Portuguese, was completed in 1772. The exterior has been well maintained, and the Italian-inspired rococo interior is a shining example of the architectural evolution in this part of Brazil. According to UNESCO, the church is notable as an important example of Baroque art in Latin America.
Soapstone sculptures in Congonhas
Aleijadinho, Brazil's most famous artist of the past, was a master sculptor despite having a debilitating disease which resulted in limited use of his hands. It is believed that he completed the sculptures with a chisel and mallet bound to his unusable hands. The sculptures of the twelve prophets here are wonderful examples of his work; each figure shows individuality and fine details of execution.
Shops next to the Sanctuary
On the hill that descends next to the church are several small buildings of shops that sell refreshments and souvenirs. One of the most common and typical souvenirs sold in this region is the ceramic lady in waiting, which can be seen in the photo. This figure is typically placed on a windowsill and represents a single woman looking for a suitor.
The Room of Miracles
Right next to the basilica are a few rooms that visitors can enter. This one, called the Room of Miracles, has been designated a federal heritage site by IPHAN. People have left objects to show their appreciation the blessings obtained through Our Father Bom Jesus’s divine intercession. It is interesting to see these slices of life and photos of ordinary Brazilians from the past and present.
Chapels at the Sanctuary in Congonhas
Below the basilica are seven chapels that descend a hill overlooking the city. This hill and the statues are referred to as the Sacred Way. The chapels represent the Stations of the Cross and house sculptures that depict the Passion of Christ, including the Last Supper and Christ being nailed to the cross.
Each chapel has a small opening in the door through which the sculptures can be viewed. UNESCO has called these sculptures "masterpieces of a highly original, moving, expressive form of Baroque art."
Aleijadinho sculpted these seven scenes from the Passion of Christ. Each scene is housed in one of the chapels, and visitors can peer through an opening in the chapel door to view the scene. The sculptures, completed between 1796 and 1800, are considered one of Aleijadinho's finest works. In fact, UNESCO considers these sculptures to be the "unquestioned zenith of Christian art in Latin America." The quality of the work is obvious, from the color to the precise forms and the emotion shown by the figures.
Source...