San Francisco Convent

San Francisco Convent lies along the sandy coastline of northeastern Brazil in the historic town of Olinda, which was founded in 1535. Its economy was fueled by the sugar trade. The San Francisco convent was originally established in 1585 but was destroyed by a Dutch invasion and rebuilt in 1631. The resurrected convent was designed in the Portugese baroque style and was adorned with elaborate painted decorations. In addition to the expansive polychrome murals, the tile work and seventeenth-century fountain are noteworthy features. The San Francisco Convent also boasts an ample rare book collection. One of the most significant areas within the complex is the Chapel of São Roque, which connects to the church’s main nave through a monumental archway and contains sculptures from the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The entirety of San Francisco is still used by Franciscan friars today. Although the religious life of the convent is thriving, its proximity to the ocean poses problems for the physical structure. High humidity and salt efflorescence damage the stones while geotechnical instability in the region causes landslides.

WMF placed the San Francisco Convent on the Watch list in 2004 and again in 2006, along with the Historic Center of Olinda. The aim was to restore the site and also preserve its cultural context, the surrounding town.

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