Salvador Cathedral
The Salvador Cathedral or Cathedral Basilica of the Transfiguration of the Lord ( Portuguese Catedral Basílica Primaciale do Transfiguração do Senhor ) is a Roman Catholic church in Salvador , Brazil . The cathedral of the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord and also bears the title of a minor basilica . As part of the historic center of Salvador, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ;
history
Today's church on Terreiro de Jesus was the fourth built by the Jesuits on this site in the Baroque style. The foundation stone was laid in 1657 and the church was consecrated in 1672 before completion. The main facade was completed around 1679, the bells were not imported from Portugal until 1681. The towers were added in 1694, and the interior was built over a long period of time. In 1746 the outer statues were installed on the facade.
With the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1758, the King of Portugal gave the church to the archbishopric and it was used as a cathedral, since the old cathedral from 1553 was dilapidated, in 1933 it was demolished. Pope Pius XI awarded the church the title of minor basilica in 1922 . In 1980 and 1991 Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral basilica. In 1985 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the historic center of Salvador.
architecture
The Mannerist facade made of Portuguese limestone has three portals with the statues of the Jesuits Ignatius von Loyola , Franz Xavier and Francisco de Borja above them. Above this, the facade is structured with columns and is closed off by a triangular gable and two low bell towers.
The single-nave church leads under a barrel vault to the mannerist main altar. The church is flanked by several carved side altars, including significant sculptures and paintings. Two Renaissance altars were taken from the previous church. Some of the total of 13 altars were only created in the 18th century. From the old cathedral there is a diamond-studded relic made of gold and silver, which is located on the left side of the choir in the Chapel of the Most Holy. The vault is lavishly decorated with gilded carvings.
The magnificent sacristy with its marble floor, Indian granite and gilding is opulently furnished with paintings, statues of saints and tile images.
Web links
- Igreja do Colegio Jesuitico (Portuguese)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Catedral Basílica de São Salvador on bahia-turismo.com
- ↑ Catedral Basílica Primacial do Transfiguração do Senhor on gcatholic.org
- ↑ UNESCO, Historic Center of Salvador de Bahia. In: World Heritage List.
- ↑ Catedral Basílica in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil in franks-travelbox.com
Coordinates: 12 ° 58 ′ 22.2 " S , 38 ° 30 ′ 37.2" W.