Museu de Arte Sacra and Mosteiro da Luz

The Mosteiro da Luz was founded and constructed in 1774 by Friar Antônio de Sant`Anna Galvão, better known as Friar Galvão, who was canonized by Pope Bento XVI during his visit to Brazil in May 2007, becoming the first saint born in this country. Considered the most important colonial architectural construction from the 18th century in São Paulo, its importance is such that it has already been proclaimed a “Cultural Heritage for Humanity” by Unesco. The building is also functions as a convent for the Conceptionist Sisters who continue today to dedicate their days to prayer and work and live in seclusion. It is they who are responsible for making Friar Galvão’s famous miraculous pills. This “sainted remedy" is distributed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the church designed and constructed with the help of the Friar himself. Masses are held every day (see times below). The Museu de Arte Sacra of São Paulo is also located there, where one of the most representative collections of sacred Brazilian heritage is housed. It was Don Duarte Leopoldo, the first archbishop of São Paulo, who in the beginning of the 20th century, gathered and organized the works that would later give origin to the museum. Those who enter the building, which is located in the center of the city near the Luz station and in front of the Pinacoteca, are immediately stuck by the spiritual atmosphere of the place. The silence is broken only by the voice of monitors skillfully describing the 800 pieces on exhibition, among the four thousand coming from the main churches and the most unusual chapels in the state of São Paulo and Brazil. Baroque art relics dating from the 16th century to current times are religious silver and gold jewelry, paintings, furniture, decorated panels, altars, sacred vestments and rare liturgical books. The candlestick collection is smaller only than the one at the Vatican Museums, and there is also a splendid collection of Russian icons. In addition to the beauty and mystery surrounding each piece, since the authors sought mainly adoration of the divine, the place also teaches much about the history of Catholicism in Brazil. Antonio Francisco Lisboa, the “Little Cripple” (1730-1814), left his mark there. Friar Agostinho da Piedade (1580 - 1661), Friar Agostinho de Jesus (1600 or 1610 - 1661), Manuel da Costa Athayde (1762 - 1830), Padre Jesuíno of Monte Carmelo (1764 - 1819), among many other artists, also have their space in the collection. There are also paintings by Benedito Calixto and Anita Malfatti. Two other important collections are exhibited in the space. The splendid Museu dos Presépios (Crèche Museum) is a special attraction, since it houses 190 unusual nativity scenes originating from various countries and regions in Brazil and produced by various techniques, showing everything from the extensive Napolitano Crèche with 1500 pieces to one of the latest scenes of this type. Another highlight is the Numismatic Collection composed of 9 thousand pieces, among them coins from the colonial period and pontifical medals. Text: Tatiane Ribeiro SERVICE: MUSEU DE ARTE SACRA DE SÃO PAULO and MOSTEIRO DA LUZ Avenida Tiradentes, 676 – Luz Masses: Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. Saturday at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sunday at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tel.: (11) 3326-1373 / 3326-5393 / 3326-3336 http://artesacra.sarasa.com.br/