Peeking out from the bustling Praça XV is a church. This isn’t just any church. It’s the Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo.
This Catholic church boasts a rich history. Its construction spanned from 1755 to 1855. The Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo stands proudly beside the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé.
Back in the 17th century, the Ordem Terceira do Carmo met in a chapel near the Convento do Carmo. By 1752 they needed a new dedicated church. Manuel Alves Setúbal, a Portuguese architect, designed it. Frei Xavier Vaz de Carvalho modified the plans. Work progressed slowly. The towers remained unfinished for decades. Manuel Joaquim de Melo Corte Real completed them between 1847 and 1850. He taught design at the Academia Imperial de Belas Artes. These towers feature bulbous cupolas. They shimmer with a covering of blue azulejos.
The Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo has an elegant facade. Look for the beautiful portals and large windows. A baroque, counter-curved pediment tops it off. What makes this facade unique? It’s entirely clad in stone. Most colonial churches in Rio mixed stonework with white plaster. This all-stone design echoes the architecture of Lisbon. The carioca stone proved too dark for widespread use.
The main and side portals are crafted from Portuguese lioz stone. Medallions of the Virgin and Child adorn them. Sculptors in Lisbon created these masterpieces in 1761. They are considered the finest of their kind in Rio de Janeiro.
Inside the Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo is a single nave church. Side corridors lead to lateral chapels. The main chapel is rectangular. Gilded woodwork in the rococo style adds to the beauty. Luiz da Fonseca Rosa began the interior decoration in 1768. Valentim da Fonseca e Silva, known as Mestre Valentim, assisted him from 1780. Mestre Valentim continued working until 1800. The Capela do Noviciado sits to the right of the main chapel. Mestre Valentim created its stunning rococo carvings between 1772 and 1773. Colonial painter Manuel da Cunha created the chapel’s paintings.
Between 1829 and 1855 Antônio de Pádua e Castro filled the nave walls with carvings. This gave the interior a more unified look. A small cupola was also opened above the main chapel. This allowed more light to enter.
The Igreja da Ordem Terceira do Carmo stands as a testament to faith and art. Its history is etched in every stone and carving. Take a moment to appreciate the devotion and artistry. They created this remarkable landmark in Rio’s Centro.