About Nossa Senhora do Desterro (Our Lady of Exile) in Florianópolis, Brazil:
The Praça da Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Desterro has always been the center of Vila do Desterro, which later became the city of Florianópolis. It was the center from which the first streets originated, spreading out to the sides and back. For the small town, Largo da Matriz was the main meeting point, where residents, in their free time, would discuss their problems, whether common or individual. Today it continues to be a meeting point for residents and visitors.
Francisco Dias Velho Monteiro, founder of Póvoa de Nossa Senhora do Desterro, built the first church on the island in 1673, in honor of Nossa Senhora do Desterro. It was a small chapel, built of stone and lime, with a main altar and two side altars. The parish was created on March 5, 1712 and in the same act, Desterro was elevated to a parish.
On September 25, 1747, the Governor of the Capital, José da Silva Paes, wrote to the King of Portugal, requesting permission to build a new Main Church, of which he, a military engineer, was the author of the architectural project. Construction began in 1753 and was completed in 1773.
The name Nossa Senhora do Desterro was officially adopted on February 24, 1726. Later reforms changed its original style. In 1908, it was elevated to the category of Cathedral Church.
During the celebrations of the centenary of Brazil’s Independence in 1922, the nave was enlarged, the towers were altered, and neoclassical porches were added to the front. Inside the central porch you can still see the beautiful stone doorway from the first building.
Traveling to Nossa Senhora do Desterro (Our Lady of Exile) in Florianópolis, Brazil: