The Convent of the Carmelites in Rio de Janeiro: from the colonial period to the present

Abstract

This article covers the trajectory of over four centuries of the Convento do Carmo in Rio de Janeiro, from its construction in the colonial period to the challenges faced in present days. The building emerges as a living testimony to the political, social, and cultural transformations that have marked the city's history. Over time, it has faced systematic devaluation, evidenced by the pejorative perception of the colonial era, culminating in a façade-altering reform in 1906. Subsequently, in the 1980s, the addition of a tower exacerbated threats to its integrity and structure. Meanwhile, the processes of heritage listing, initiated in 1964 and 2008, represent a conscious, albeit belated, response to the urgency of preservation. Governmental intervention in 2011 and the renovations of 2022 mark crucial efforts to revitalize this significant historical and cultural heritage, underscoring the ongoing need to protect and celebrate the rich heritage of the city of Rio de Janeiro.