Overview:

: Church of São José (also known as Igreja de São José) is a Jesuit church located in Benguela, Angola. The church was built in 1744 by the Jesuit Missionaries, and is now a renowned National Monument in Angola. The Church is built in Baroque style, featuring tall buttresses, pointed arch windows and a tile-covered dome. Today, the Church remains an impressive architectural landmark, and a symbol of Angola’s cultural heritage. The Church of São José is open to the public, with religious services taking place regularly. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Angola
Prominent Features:

- Beautiful Andalusian-style architecture - Large dome in the center - Quintuple columns and smaller towers surrounding the dome - Central square with beautiful gardens - Church bell tower - Various frescoes and sculptures inside the church - Bank located in the entrance of the church - Restored monastery attached to the church - Numerous works of art seen both in the interior and exterior of the church You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Angola.

History:

The Church of São José in Benguela, Angola is said to have been founded in 1885 as a result of the efforts of the Society of Jesus in Angola. The Jesuits established several other churches in Benguela at this time, including the Church of St. Anthony of Padua and the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. Near the Church of São José, the Jesuits built a hospice, a primary school and a vocational school. In 1950, the Church of São José was declared a cathedral, and was later appointed the seat of the Archdiocese of Benguela. In 1957, Pope Pius XII awarded the church the title “Basilica,” and in 1964 it was designated a National Monument by the Angolan government. The Church of São José is known to be one of the most significant examples of early Jesuit architecture in Angola. Today, the Church of São José remains an active religious site and is home to several events and festivities throughout the year. Sources: https://www.angolatoday.net/life/benguela-a-look-at-the-churc h-of-sao-jose/ https://www.sacred-destinations.com/angola/benguela-church-of- santiago.htm http://visitangola.com/pt-pt/destinos/Heritage/heritage/church- of-sao-jose-benguela/ Visit one of the famous monuments of Angola with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Church of São José - Benguela was built in 1837 by Afonso Nunes da Silva in the Portuguese civil architecture style. 2. The bell tower of the church is almost 60 feet tall, constructed in cobblestone and fired brick, and has been classified as a national monument by the Government of Angola. 3. The church was renovated and restored in the 1980s and is now an important landmark in the city of Benguela. 4. The church is home to many unique and beautiful art works, including several altars, sculptures and scale models. 5. It is the oldest surviving building from the colonial era in Angola and is also said to be the largest colonial church in the country. 6. In the 19th century, Church of São José-Benguela was known to be a beacon of hope for freed slaves, as it was the only church in the area where they were allowed to worship. 7. The Church was once used as a hospital and later a cathedral during the colonial era of Portuguese rule in Angola. 8. The church’s exterior has changed little since it was first built, and the building has become an important symbol of Brazilian and Angolan cultural heritage. One of the historical monuments of Angola, it tells the story of a bygone era