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The Madre De Deus Cathedral in Recife’s Culture

The Madre de Deus cathedral in Recife is one of the remaining landmarks that have just been part of a much-needed restoration project headed by concerned groups in Brazil. It has become a precious architectural heritage in Recife as it embodies collective memory and culture. It was built in the 1680, a year where the architecture ws going to its second Baroque phase of which the Madre de Deus Cathedral was no exemption. Historical records show that in the year 1971, the church was partially destroyed by fire. For such a long time, it has been neglected until its much-awaited restoration just recently. The church in Portuguese is also called Catedral de Madre de Deus or the Cathedral of the Mother of God. It located right at the street that bears the same name, so it is pretty easy to find.

The cathedral was built according to the building plan drafted by Antonio Fernandes de Matos. Recife's rough historical landscape may be the reason why it was only until the year 1720 when the cathedral was finished. The Madre de Deus church is noted for its exquisite façade stone sculptures with a life-size image of the Philip de Neri. In the church's interior, images that are as old as the first church where the present church stands decorate the inside. The original church was demolished in 1913. Fortunately, the artistic carvings decorating the church have been restored for generations of Recife residents and travelers.

It is also worth noting that it was the priests of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri who contracted with the mason, de Matos, for the building of the church. The year 1720 saw the completion of the church under the congregation's supervision. Today, the church is located near the Paco Alfandega Shopping Mall. So right after learning a part of Recife's cultural history through its religious heritage, heading to Paco Shopping Mall to buy some souvenirs is a thing that travelers would always want to do. There are also cafés and restaurants nearby that serve regional cuisine, which can never be found elsewhere in this northeastern part of Brazil.

In Recife, one would observe that the past is well preserved and the present weaves in. The Madre de Deus is a monument worth looking at. The grandiose of its exteriors and interiors would only leave one in awe. For years, the church continues to attract travelers from all countries. Coming to Recife seems to be inadequate without one viewing the wonder that its architectural history has given it.

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