The church and monastery of St. Antony was founded by Brother Vicente do Salvador in 1608. The monastery with its unique facade dates from 1970. The Franciscans arrived in Brazil with Pedro Alvarez Cabral. The Franciscans settled on Santa Luzia Beach in Rio de Janeiro in 1952. In 1608, they moved to the hill of Santo Antonio, because the chapel had already been built in honor of St. Antony, and they built the first residence and church.
The large room, located on the left as you enter the monastery, is the place where the friars meet their followers. It used to be called the "Chapter Room."
The ceiling dedicated to St. Anne is still original. On the walls there are paintings depicting St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Ambrose, St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Gregory the Great, St. Cecilia and Margaret of Antioch. This room was the university Aula Magna.
Special attention should be paid to the chapel of Porziuncola, which is located next to the church. Here lie the bones of Friar Fabian de Cristo. He was a nurse friar and many miracles are attributed to him.
There is an imperial mausoleum in the monastery. The church is designed in a discreet baroque style. The monastery is very interesting and rich in history. You can visit it, you will hear stories related to the history of the monastery and the church.
