the construction of the igreja de são francisco de paula (church of st francisco de paula), one of the largest churches in rio, began in 1759 and the completion took until the mid-nineteenth century. the church was finally inaugurated in 1865, the ceremony attended by dom pedro ii. as a result of the long period of construction, the church is considered to be exemplary of the evolution of colonial architecture in rio de janeiro.

a traditional portuguese style church with two towers, the façade is ornately decorated. the interior contains beautiful engravings, neoclassical styled marble, mosaic and brass - the church's nave was decorated in a neoclassic style based on the work of painter mario bragaldi, the high altar and the chapel of our lady of victory was designed by master valentim, antónio de padua and castro carved the large wooden entrance, and the church contains paintings by the slave manoel da cunha.