Dating back to 1535, the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Igarassu, Pernambuco, is considered the oldest surviving church in Brazil. This iconic landmark has recently undergone an extensive restoration that preserves its historic features while introducing upgrades to facilitate its contemporary use. The intervention also included the adjacent two-story Parish House.
The restoration work covered the chapels and their respective altars, stonework, integrated woodwork, and sacred imagery. Additionally, the entire complex was repainted, roofs were repaired, and the electrical systems were completely updated. Exterior improvements included the construction of restrooms, a wooden deck, and a walkway connecting the church to the Parish House. The upper floor of the Parish House was also adapted to house exhibition spaces and a cafe, turning the building into a new cultural center.
The church has been landmarked by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) since 1951, when it was listed in both the Historical and Fine Arts registries. Serving as Igarassu's mother church, the temple is named in honor of the city's patron saints. The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) invested R$ 4.2 million in the project, which was carried out by the Institute for Human Development (IDH).
The History of Igarassu
An irregular urban layout and centuries-old colonial houses are among the historical attractions of Igarassu, which some scholars consider the first permanent settlement in Brazil. More widely accepted, however, is its status as the second village established in the country, following São Vicente in the state of São Paulo. Founded on September 27, 1535, the town began when Captain Afonso Gonçalves ordered the construction of a chapel dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian on the site.
This hilltop location marked the beginning of a settlement pattern that materialized Portuguese colonial administrative and religious authority. The layout—featuring a central square and a common area defined by a church, town hall, jail, and other prominent public buildings—established a spatial structure for settlement that would later be replicated in Olinda and other Brazilian cities.
There are two explanations for the origin of the town's name, both rooted in Indigenous languages. The first points to the Tupi words igara (canoe) and açu (large). Historians believe the name originated from the exclamation of surprise by the Indigenous population when they first sighted the massive Portuguese caravels.
The alternative theory traces the name to three Indigenous words: ig (water or river), guará (water bird), and açu (large). Under this interpretation, Igarassu would mean "River of the Large Birds"—also a metaphorical reference to the European ships appearing off the coast during the early years of colonization.
To preserve the local heritage, Iphan invested approximately R$ 180,000 in 2020 for the conservation and maintenance of the Sobrado do Imperador (Emperor's House). Built between the 17th and 18th centuries, the building is one of the most prominent historic properties in the city's old town.
The name Sobrado do Imperador commemorates a visit by Emperor Dom Pedro II on December 5, 1859, during his travels through Northeast Brazil. Since 2010, the building has housed Iphan's Technical Office in Igarassu, along with the Casa do Patrimônio (Heritage House), a venue dedicated to cultural and educational activities.
Source: Iphan
This article was written by ArchDaily Team. The translation is powered by AI.
