at a glance

The story goes, that Captain Baltazar was under threat of attack from a large snake and shouted: 'My Madonna, save me!', and immediately a lizard appeared to fight the snake, allowing the Captain to escape. He interpreted the event as a miracle performed by the Madonna, and erected a chapel and monument in her name.

The location was quick to attract the faithful, and was gradually renovated and improved upon over the following centuries. It also eventually gave the name to the neighborhood that surrounded it. settlement of the region began shortly after the creation of the church, but failed to gain momentum until the end of the 19th century.

At this time the railroad had been expanded to encompass the northern areas of Rio, which greatly improved access to the region. The beginning of the 20th Century brought the arrival of trams, and with these modes of transport came an even greater influx of pilgrims to visit the church.