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Church · Lavras Novas, MG
Church of Our Lady of Pleasures
1762 chapel in the center of Lavras Novas, with three simple altars, a stone atrium and a carved stone cruzeiro in the square. The layout of the village formed around it.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Church of Our Lady of Pleasures
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres was built in 1762, according to the Prefeitura de Ouro Preto, by miners and enslaved people who worked in the gold workings of the mountains. It is the oldest landmark of Lavras Novas and the point around which the village’s layout formed: houses aligned around the square, following the pattern of the earliest settlements in Minas rather than a prior plan.
The building follows the model of rural chapels in Minas: a white façade with corners and doors accented in color, a bell tower and, inside, three simply carved altars. The atrium is paved in stone, and in front of the church there is a large cruzeiro of carved stone, protected by the municipality. Devotion to Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres is uncommon in a region where invocations of Pilar, Carmo and Conceição predominate.
The square is the center of village life: Holy Week and the Festa do Divino are celebrated there, and from it branch the streets with the colorful houses, with crooked doors and windows, that became the image of the district. At night the church is lit. The urban core of Lavras Novas is protected by the Prefeitura de Ouro Preto.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 minutes for the church and the square; more time to walk the surrounding streets.
Best time
During the day, when the church is usually open; in the early evening to see the illuminated façade. On Holy Week and during the Festa do Divino the square hosts the community celebrations.
How to get there
It is in the center of Lavras Novas, on the square where the village streets converge; it is within walking distance from any pousada in the center.
Tip
Check whether the church is open before you go, because visiting days vary. Respect services and ask permission before photographing the interior during Masses.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Church of Our Lady of Pleasures
When was the church of Lavras Novas built?
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres was built in 1762, according to the Prefeitura de Ouro Preto, by miners and enslaved people who worked in the region.
Can you enter the Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres?
Generally yes, during the day, but opening times vary. Confirm in the village before you go.
Where is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres located?
On the central square of Lavras Novas, district of Ouro Preto, with the stone cruzeiro in front.