page_title: São Francisco Cultural Center
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: São Francisco Cultural Center / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Baroque chapel inside the church of St Anthony Convent in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
context_page_description: Cultural Center San Francisco is located in the Paraiba state capital of João Pessoa.
  The architectural complex of the Church of San Francisco and the Convent of St. Anthony, was built by Franciscans in 1589 and was completed in 1788. It consists of the Adro, Church, Convent and Cruis. The cultural centre is considered the largest monument in the Baroque style of Latin America. The religious site currently functions as the Sacred-School Museum of Paraíba.
  Within the cultural center, a magnificent architectural complex is formed by the Church of San Francisco and the Convent of Santo Antônio. Also present are the Chapel of the Third Order of San Francisco, the Chapel of San Benito, the House of Prayer of the Third, Cloister of the Third Order, a fountain and a large adro with a transept, constituting one of the most remarkable legacies of the Baroque.
context_section_description: The construction was initiated by the friars of the Franciscan Order who came to Paraíba to help the Jesuits in the catechesis of the Indians. Construction began in 1589 and was completed in 1788. It became the residence of Dutch directors during the Dutch invasion; a period in which their works were interrupted.
  The original project was written by Fray Francisco dos Santos and the main works were completed in 1591. The convent was damaged during the Dutch invasion. The friars were expelled in 1636. A military post was installed because of its strategic location: it dominated the entire Sanhauá valley, extending along the Paraíba river to Cabedelo.
caption: Chapel inside the church, with rich gold carving
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