Rio de Janeiro - Nossa Senhora da Candelária

Rua 1 de Maráo, Rua da Quitanda and other side streets off Rua do Ouvidor lead to Largo da Candelária (Praça Pio X), off which opens the wide Avenida Presidente Vargas. In the square is the largest church in Rio, Nossa Senhora da Candelária, the construction of which, begun in 1775, dragged on into the late 19th century. This neo-classical church shows clear Italian influence: the ground-plan is a Latin cross, and the usual carved wood of the interior has given place to multi-colored marble. The exterior combines Baroque and Renaissance features. On the high altar are columns of Carrara marble; the doors are bronze.