Dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, Igreja São José, Saint Joseph Church, has long been one of the main attractions in the downtown district of Belo Horizonte. It has a neo-Manueline style that adopts certain features from the 16th-century Gothic architecture of Portugal. Admire the iconic orange-and-red striped façade, which presents an elegant clock, arches and three tall towers.
Snap photographs of the stained-glass windows, three arched portals and central pediment of this intricate frontage. The building’s striking colors were restored in recent years from its prior off-white theme.
Enter the church and admire the majestic Corinthian columns that run through the center of the nave. The floor is decorated in an interesting black-and-white mosaic pattern. Gaze up at the starry sky décor in the ceilings. Notice that one side of the nave portrays 14 male saints, while the other contains an equal number of female saints. This reflects an era when men and women were separated in churches.
Inspect the altar’s work of art that depicts the Holy Trinity surrounded by saints and angels. Among the highlights of the church’s artworks is the ceiling fresco of the baby Jesus in Mary’s arms. Sit at one of the pews and enjoy the tranquility in this cool sanctuary, sheltered from the city’s afternoon heat.
Attend a Mass service for a sense of the local customs. These take place several times per day. Take a virtual tour via the official website of the church to check it out before your visit.
Enter the church for free when it opens to the public daily from early morning to late evening. Saturdays and Sundays offer several opportunities to join a Mass.
Find São José Church in the heart of the Centro area of Belo Horizonte. Ride a bus to one of the many stops that line the adjacent highway. See some of the other sights in the area, including the Teatro Francisco Nunes, the Municipal Park and the Shopping Cidade mall.
