St. Joseph's Church

The most mysterious and oldest church in San Luis is named after Saint Joseph (Sao Jose do Desterro), located near the monastery of mercy and is considered the only monument in Brazil that has preserved traces of ancient Byzantine architectural style.

The date of founding of the church is unknown. It is known that originally it was a small chapel overlooking the sea, which was subsequently repeatedly destroyed and re-erected at the expense of donations from local residents. The reconstruction of the church building was carried out in 1868, 1954, 1975, 1981 and 1994.

Since 1981, the church has been under the tutelage of the Secretary of State for Culture and since then includes the Museum of Sacred Art.