The Convento das Mercês, once a barracks, is now home to the Fundação da Memória Republicana Brasileira and was recently named one of the Seven Treasures of São Luís..
Construction and foundation
Construction began in 1654, when the Mercedarians João Cerveira (from Maranhão de Alcântara) and Marcos Natividade arrived in São Luís from Belém. They were joined by Manoel de Assunção, Antônio Nolasco and the layman João das Mercês. The building was made of damp earth covered with straw.
The following year, on additional land, the facilities were rebuilt in stone and lime, and the chancel was built. According to Professor Jomar Moraes, “the Convento das Mercês de São Luís and Alcântara, founded by the Pará convent, formed with the former a vicariate dependent on the provincial based in Spain.
This is probably one of the reasons for the various restrictive measures suffered by the Orden, including absolute submission to episcopal discretion, which included unlimited interference in the destination of its goods”.
Convento das Mercês em São Luís do Maranhão EP 102:07
Convento das Mercês em São Luís do Maranhão EP 202:53
Abandonment and new interventions
With the independence of Brazil on 7 September 1822, the property began to fall into disuse, leading to its abandonment. It wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that the building was converted into the headquarters of the Minor Seminary.
On 5 May 1905, the building was sold to the Maranhão State Government, which made further changes to the original architecture, including reversing the fronts of the convent and the annexed church (which faced the sea) and giving them a single façade.
The work was carried out by Lieutenant Colonel Zenóbio da Costa. The reason was simple: the site was to house the headquarters of the State Military Police and the Fire Brigade, which remained there until the end of the 1980s, when the battalions were moved to their current headquarters.
After the militias left, the building underwent further renovation between 1987 and 1990, during the administration of the Cafeteira. The main entrance faces Jacinto Maia Street, protected by palm trees.
Restoration and Cultural Heritage
Next to the convent is the Cafua das Mercês. During the restoration, the outbuildings that were detracting from the character of the building were removed and the original arches and the well were discovered. During the restoration the foundations of the demolished church were found.
Today, with a built area of 5,800 m², the Convento das Mercês houses a rich museum and bibliographic collection, and is the stage for cultural and artistic events such as the Maranhão Vale Festejar and the São João Festival in São Luís out of season.
Practical Information
Convento das Mercês – Fundação da Memória Republicana Brasileira
Where: Rua Jacinto Maia, Praia Grande, next to Cafua das Mercês.
Conclusion
The Convento das Mercês is not only a historic building, but also an important symbol of Maranhão’s culture and memory, representing the state’s rich cultural heritage and its development over the centuries.
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