Mosteiro de São Bento
Centro
monastery in Rio de Janeiro
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Mosteiro de São Bento, the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, a crown jewel of colonial Brazil. Founded by Benedictine monks from Bahia in 1590, this monastery is one of the oldest and most significant religious…
Listen in the app2The Hilltop Approach — Fortified Serenity
As we ascend the hill toward the monastery, we are following a path of 'fortified serenity.' In the 17th century, monasteries were often built on high ground for protection, acting as 'information power centers' and defensive…
Listen in the app3The Main Portal — A Threshold of History
We stand now at the main portal of the Church of Our Lady of Montserrat. This threshold is a gateway into the 'golden age' of Brazilian art. …
Listen in the app4The Gilded Nave — A Baroque Masterpiece
The interior of the nave is where the 'Mosteiro de São Bento' truly reveals its glory. Every square inch of the woodwork is covered in 'gold leaf gilding,' a style popularized during the Baroque and Rococo periods. …
Listen in the app5The Seven Side Chapels — A Brotherhood of Faith
Along the sides of the nave are the 'seven side chapels,' each a masterpiece in its own right. These chapels were traditionally dedicated to various 'Catholic lay brotherhoods' who funded their construction and decoration. …
Listen in the app6The Main Altar — Our Lady of Montserrat
The high altar is the spiritual 'centerpiece' of the monastery, dedicated to Our Lady of Montserrat. This 'Gilded Church' masterpiece is where the 'theological point' of the abbey reaches its crescendo. …
Listen in the app7The Sacristy and the Monastic Legacy
We conclude our tour by visiting the area near the Sacristy, where the 'monastic legacy' is most palpable. The Sacristy itself is a treasure trove of 'Portuguese and Brazilian colonial art,' including the aforementioned 'Christ…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we step out of the golden shadows of the Mosteiro de São Bento and back into the brilliant Rio sun, let us carry with us the weight of the history we have encountered. We have moved from the 'fortified serenity' of the hilltop…
Listen in the app
What is Mosteiro de São Bento?
Mosteiro de São Bento is a place in Centro with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Centro |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | -22.8970, -43.1781 |
| Last updated |
