In 1774, Luz Monastery was built and founded by Friar Antônio de Sant’Anna Galvão, popular Friar Galvão, who had been canonized by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Brazil in May, 2007, who became the first Brazilian-born saint.

Due to its important XVIII century colonial architecture, Luz Monastery has been declared UNESCO Human Heritage.

This building is also the home for the Order of the Conceptionists nuns who until today offer their days to pray and work and live in a cloister. They are responsible to make famous miracle Friar Galvão’s pills. This ‘holly medicine’ is given from 9:00 in the morning until 05:00 in the afternoon at the church designed and built by the Friar himself. Masses are celebrated every day (see time below).

Sacred Art Museum of São Paulo is also located here and holds one of the most representative religious collections in Brazil. In the beginning of XX century, D. Duarte Leopoldo, first archbishop of São Paulo, who gathered and organized those works creating this museum.

A spiritual atmosphere fills this museum, located in Downtown, close to Luz Station in front of Pinacoteca. Only guide’s voice breaks the silence to explain 800 pieces in exhibtion, among 4,000 that came from main churches and the most peculiar chapels in the State of São Paulo and Brazil.

Baroque antiques, from XVI century until today, include religious silverware and goldsmithery, painting, furniture, altarpiece, sacred clothing and rare liturgical books. Chandelier collection is the second largest in the world, just after Vatican Museums; there is also a rich Russian icon collection.

Additionally to beauty and mystery of each piece, the museum teaches the history of Catholicism in Brazil. Antonio Francisco Lisboa, aka "Aleijadinho" (1730-1814), left his mark here. Frei Agostinho da Piedade (1580-1661), Frei Agostinho de Jesus (1600 or 1610-1661), Manuel da Costa Athayde (1762-1830) and Padre Jesuíno do Monte Carmelo (1764-1819), and other artists, also have their own space in this setting. There are also painting by Benedito Calixto and Anita Malfatti.

There are other two important collections exhibited here: the splendorous Nativity Museum (Museu dos Presépios) is an attraction itself, housing 190 unique nativities from several parts of Brazil and the world made in different techniques,  since a large Neapolitan Nativity, with 1,500 pieces, until one of the latest sets. Another attraction is Numismatics Collection presenting 9,000 pieces, including coins from the colonial period and pontific medals.

Service:
Luz Monastery
Avenida Tiradentes, 676 - Luz (São Bento subway station)
Phone: (5511) 3311-8745
Time: 8:30 am to 11:00 am and 02:30 pm to 04:30 pm.
Masses: Monday to Friday, 07:00 am; Saturday, 08:00 am and 04:00 pm, and Sunday, 08:00 am, 10:30 am and 04:00 pm

Sacred Art Museum
Avenida Tiradentes, 676 - Luz (São Bento subway station)
Phone: (5511) 3326-1373 / 3326-5393 / 3326-3336
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Website: www.museuartesacra.org.br
Time: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 07:00 pm 
Price: R$ 4; R$ 2 for students. Free for children under seven and elderly people