Igreja Nossa Senhora de Carmo da Antiga Sé

Across Rua 1 de Março from Praça XV [1] is the Igreja Nossa Senhora de Carmo da Antiga Sé (Rua Sete de Setembro 15, Centro, tel. 21/2242-4828, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Fri., free). Constructed in 1761, it served as Rio [2]’s principal cathedral until 1980. Many of the city’s major religious commemorations—including Emperor Pedro I’s coronation and the baptisms and marriages of Emperor Pedro II—were celebrated here.

Although the exterior retains little of its original facade, the interior is a rococo feast with altars richly decorated in silver and a splendid panel of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.