Recall a time when Rio’s shoreline was closer. Before modern avenues claimed land from the sea. We’re standing before the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Ajuda. Its story is intertwined with Rio’s past. It even involves a beach that no longer exists.
The Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Ajuda was once on land that stretched toward the sea. The waters touched Praia da Ajuda. That beach disappeared when Avenida Beira Mar was built. The convent was the first for women in Rio de Janeiro.
Imagine life within those walls. Nuns lived in seclusion. Contact with the outside world was limited. They could only interact through cell windows or grates.
The original Convento da Ajuda stood near today’s Cinelândia. Its land extended from the Municipal Theater to the Monroe Palace gardens. It was a prominent landmark for many years.
In 1911, the old Convento da Ajuda was demolished. This happened during Pereira Passos’ urban reforms. The city was transforming. The convent was sold to the Light & Power Company. They planned to build a hotel but it never happened. The land briefly became an amusement park. Later, cinemas and theaters were built and Cinelândia was born.
The nuns relocated. They moved to Tijuca. Then they moved again to Vila Isabel. Today, the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Ajuda stands on Rua Barão de São Francisco. It faces Praça Barão de Drummond.
The current Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Ajuda is an imposing structure. It sits atop a small hill. Stairs lead to its entrance. Two tall buildings now partially obscure it. An external elevator was added for accessibility.
Until 1970, the nuns couldn’t leave even for health reasons. Now, they can leave for special occasions or medical needs.
The Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Ajuda has a rich history. It even housed Queen Maria I’s remains before they were moved to Lisbon. Princess Luíza Vitória was also buried here temporarily.
This convent continues its religious work. The community is one of the last cloistered orders in Brazil. It is a major producer of hosts for the city’s churches. The Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Ajuda is more than a building. It is a living piece of Rio’s history.