1750 to 1800

Select a time period from the timeline to view a map of the cities with Baroque buildings that were constructed during that time span. Click on a city name to see which churches were constructed in that city during that time.

Diamantina

Sao Joao del Rei

Ouro Preto

Congonhas

Lamego

Porto

Select a city on the map to view more information about that city and the churches within that city.

General History

Prior 1750, Brazil experienced a massive increase in wealth due to the discovery of gold and diamonds in the modern state of Minas Gerais. Mining towns sprouted in this region. By around 1750, although the majority of the gold and gems were exported, some was illegally retained within the communities. This led to the construction of elaborate churches in place of the previous chapels. Meanwhile, Lisbon was recovering from a devastating earthquake in 1755, so the architectural style of South Portugal switched from extravagant Baroque to efficient Neoclassical. Baroque continued to develop in North Portugal instead.

All churches are reviewed for the following Baroque trends:

Theatricality
Presence of Frescoes
Two-tower facade
Gilding
Azulejos

And the following broad trends:

Time of construction
Social make-up of region
Economic forces
Geography

Diamantina

Nossa Senhora do Carmo church (1766-1678) has the following Baroque trends:

Theatricality
Presence of frescoes
Gilding

Diamantina

unesp; Percival Tirapeli and Danielle Manoel dos Santos Pereira

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Ouro Preto

The geography of Ouro Preto is mountainous with rivers and streams. Ouro Preto was established in 1698 upon the discovery of gold. I started as a mining town, but remained populated even after the mines ceased to be productive.