Our Lady of Carmen Church, Luanda, Angola
In 1828, the Church of Our Lady of Carmel was basically in ruins. A large part of the convent was destroyed when the Captain of the Navy, Jose Xavier Bressante Leite, in 1842/1843, wanted to move the capital of Benguela Kingdom (1617-1869) to the Port of Lobito. He considered the ruined convent to be a great source of stone and wood; but it turned out to be a futile attempt to move that capital.
This Church served as the Cathedral See of the Diocese of Angola/Congo from 1887 to 1897, while works of restoration were taking place in the Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Remedies.
Besides the balconies, the following features deserve special attention: the ceiling painted by hand; the walls covered with Portuguese tiles of the 17th century; the choir loft and balconies.
The church and the cloister offer an environment of silence and peace. The Church of Our Lady of Carmel, nowadays, is a Parish Church served by the Dominican Fathers.
Epic Angola Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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