Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria, Rio de Janeiro

The marble walls, abundant sculptural decoration, German stained-glass window and painted ceiling of Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria make for a decadent but breathtaking space. According to legend, in the beginnning of the 17th century a group of Spaniards first sponsored the building of a small chapel by the name Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria in order to fulfill an oath they swore when their ship, the "Candelária," was almost lost at sea. When this chapel eventually fell into repair, a larger, grander building was envisioned in its place. The facade, which incorporates both baroque and neo-classical elements, was completed by 1811, when the church was inaugurated in the presence of King John VI of Portugal, but it would be another 66 years before the distinctive white dome--constructed in Lisbon and brought to Brazil by ship--would be in place. Plan to visit Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria and other customer-reviewed, writer-recommended Rio de Janeiro attractions using our Rio de Janeiro travel route planner.