Church of Santo Antônio da Mouraria

The Church of Santo Antônio da Mouraria is a Brazilian Catholic temple in Salvador, Bahia, built in 1724 in devotion to Saint Anthony. It is a national historical heritage site. The church features 18th-century Portuguese tiles on the nave walls, Italian marble flooring, and a Baroque illusionist ceiling painting of St. Anthony receiving the infant Jesus.

Don't miss

• 18th-century Portuguese tiles covering the nave walls up to 1.90 meters, depicting biblical scenes
• Italian marble floor in the nave and churchyard
• Baroque illusionist painting on the ceiling (1.10 x 4.00 meters) showing St. Anthony receiving the infant Jesus
• Limestone holy water font attached to the internal artwork of the main façade
• Four bells, the oldest from 1757, with others from 1885 and 1924

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Church of Santo Antônio da Mouraria

Cheapest way inHistoric City Tour - Half Day in Salvador4.8★ · 225 travelers4-5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$20 per personSee dates →Best full daySalvador City Tour – Discover Brazil’s First Capital En, It, Es5★ · 220 travelers~6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$180 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Full-Day African Oriented Salvador Upper & Lower City5★ · 47 travelers7-8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$140 per personSee dates →

Know before you go

• The church is located in Salvador, Bahia, in what was once a military area.
• It is a national historical heritage site, listed by IPHAN in 1938.

A bit of history

Vasco Fernandes César de Meneses ordered the construction to serve the local population and avoid conflicts with the Convent of Desterro, whose novices were disturbed by public weddings and baptisms. Construction began on October 29, 1724, in a military area, earning it the name 'Chapel of the military,' and was completed on June 12, 1726. The Brotherhood of the Third Order managed the chapel from 1727 until its extinction, followed by the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony of the Military from 1849 until 1879. In 1894, the São Vicente de Paulo Society took over administration. The chapel was extended and transformed into a church between 1900 and 1905.