at a glance

The Convento Santo Antônio (Church and Covenant of St. Anthony), located on the Morro do Santo Alto, or the 'High Holy Hill', in Centro, were founded in 1608 by the Franciscan frei vicente do salvador, who wrote the first ever history of Brazil.

this convent is home to one of the most unique churches in rio, the igreja da ordem terceira de são francisco da penitência (church of the third order of san francisco of the penance) - a small church decorated with impressive and unforgettable golden motives.  

In 1659, the convent became the headquarters of the Immaculate Conception Province, which covered the whole area from the state of Bahia to the South of the country.