Sao Joao del Rei Cathedral
The Cathedral of São João del-Rei , also Catedral Basílica Nossa Senhora do Pilar ( German Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady on the Pillar ), is a Roman Catholic church in São João del-Rei in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais . The Cathedral of the Diocese of São João del-Rei is considered to be an important representative of Brazilian colonial art , which contains a rich decoration of gold, paintings and statues and is protected as a national cultural heritage .
history
The construction of a straw-covered mud chapel on the summit of Morro da Forca around 1704 is part of the founding history of the mining town. The settlement was built next to the chapel dedicated to the Virgin on the pillar . 1,709 thatched Lehmkapelle was during Emboabaskrieges burned. The Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament, founded in 1711 and reserved for the city's wealthy whites, planned to build a new church and placed it in the middle of the city. The building permit was granted on September 12, 1721. The work progressed quickly and in 1732 the portals, altars and choir were completed along with the main walls. This year, materials for decoration came from Portugal, including gold leaf, paints and two panel paintings, The Last Supper and Jesus with Simon . The interior work was completed in 1750 and the towers and ceilings of the nave were completed.
Between 1850 and 1863, the church was rebuilt and restored, combined with changes to the facade, wall and ceiling design, floor and sacristy. While the baroque design of the interior was retained, the facade received influences from classicism .
The church was classified as a Historic Building by the National Institute for Historical and Artistic Heritage in 1938 . In 1954, the image of Our Lady of the Pillar was solemnly with the permission of Pope Pius XII. crowned . With the establishment of the diocese of São João del-Rei in 1960 by Pope John XXIII. the church was elevated to a cathedral. In 1964 he also awarded her the title of minor basilica . On January 12, 1967, on the summit of Morro da Forca, a stone pillar was consecrated on the site of the previous chapel to mark the beginning of the veneration of the Virgin of the Pillar. In 2011 repairs to water damage became necessary.
architecture
The facade is imposing and divided into the three-part scheme common in colonial times. It consists of a central part for the nave and two bell towers on the sides. Five doors open on the ground floor. The upper level has five identical windows with railings. All openings have a stone frame and a curved lintel, but are devoid of ornaments. The facade is finished with a classical, triangular gable with an attached cross, which shows a medallion with the image of the Lamb of God. The single-nave floor plan is typical of the colonial era, it has a low vaulted ceiling, side altars, an entrance area and a long choir , which is separated from the nave by a triumphal arch . The choir is vaulted in the shape of a dome, the edges being characterized by artistic frames and the vault with ornate panels.
Furnishing
The church is characterized by a sumptuous interior, ranging from the Barocco Joanino to the Rococo . The main altar with winding columns is decorated with richly decorated angel figures. Under the dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit stands the statue of the patron saint, a magnificent representation of the Virgin of the Pillar on clouds and angels. It is framed by expressive statues and golden splendor. Six side altars line the nave, four on the sides and two next to the triumphal arch. The altars are characterized by refined and densely gilded wood carvings, especially floral motifs, as well as an abundance of angel figures that mix with arabesques and garlands, colonnets and volutes. The altars follow the same basic pattern, but have differences.
Web links
- Cathedral website (Portuguese)
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Cláudio Guimarães Pereira. Devoção a Nossa Senhora do Pilar - Padroeira da Diocese de São João del-Rei . Diocese of São João del-Rei. (Brazilian Portuguese)
- ↑ a b c Arquivo Noronha Santos - Livro das Belas Artes. Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Pilar (São João Del Rei, MG) . IPHAN. (Brazilian Portuguese)
Coordinates: 21 ° 8 ′ 6.6 ″ S , 44 ° 15 ′ 42.8 ″ W.