utensils of catholic liturgy are also displayed, including cups, streamers, wreaths, bowls, bells and precious jewelry from the 18th and 19th centuries, while palm-candlesticks crafted of silver and carved wood hark back to historic church practices - many of these are returned to brotherhoods for use in religious practices, processions and feast days in the city.

in 2014 the museum received extensive archaeological excavations which uncovered ancient foundations and skeletons which provide illuminating evidence about the early history of paraty, thought to have first developed in the early 16th century - the church in which the museum is situated, built in 1722, is the oldest religious building in rio and thought to be one of the most beautiful.

it is embellished with wood work on the doors, sober and elegant iron on the balconies, carvings of leaves and angels on the altars, and fine lacework - the museum was recently re-opened and is available for visitation between monday and friday, from 9am to 12pm, and 1pm to 5pm.