Diamantina - Nossa Senhora do Carmo

N.S. do Carmo

In Rua Bonfim (south of Largo do Rosário, near Ruas do Carmo, do Contrato and da Quitanda) is the church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, known as "Chica's church". The church was built by the diamond dealer João Fernandes de Oliveira between 1758 and 1765 for the Ordem Terceira do Carmo (Third Order of the Carmelites). Since he was determined that the church should be built opposite his house, the Casa do Contrato, he broke with the Carmelites, who disapproved of that site, and built the church entirely at his own expense. Particularly noteworthy is the ceiling painting (1778-84), which is cramped into a small space and dark in color - features characteristic of painting in the Diamantina area. According to some