Igreja e Convento de Santa Clara do Desterro

Salvador, Brazil

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The Church and Convent of Our Lady of the Exile in Salvador, Bahia, is a landmark of colonial Brazilian religious architecture and the site of the nation's first female convent, founded in 1681 through the patronage of Dona Antônia de Góis, a member of the Poor Clare order. The structure showcases an architectural evolution spanning centuries: its most distinctive feature is an elaborate Rococo portal, while the interior underwent significant Neoclassical renovation during the 19th century. The high altar, dating to the mid-18th century, displays images of Saint Clare and Saint Francis. Its belvedere was the first of its kind in Salvador, preceding that of the Convent of Lapa. Recognized as a heritage asset by Brazil's National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute in 1938, the convent stands as a testament to Portuguese architectural and religious influence in the colonial Americas.