Paranaguá - Jesuit College

Jesuit College

The Jesuit College was in course of construction when the Jesuits were expelled from Brazil in 1760, and work then immediately stopped; but in spite of this the College is one of the finest works of architecture in southern Brazil. The cloister, at the level of the Rio Itiberà, is enclosed between the side wings of the building. On the ground floor can be seen an opening which once led into the vaulted cellars linking the College with Porto dos Padres, 3km/2mi away. No doubt the Jesuits used this underground escape route when they were driven out of the country by the decree of the Marquàs de Pombal, prime minister of Portugal.