Capela de São Miguel Arcanjo. Foto: Caio Pimenta/SPTuris.
The east side is home to the oldest temple in the city of São Paulo. Under the guidance of carpenter and pioneer Ferdinand Munhoz, the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel was built by guaianases Indians in 1622. The church was one of the first buildings protected by the Historical and Artistic Heritage.
In 1938, nearly three centuries after its construction, the Chapel of the Indians (as it is known), was practically destroyed, and it went through a process of revitalization. It was a thorough job in search of its origins in order to maintain the authenticity of its architecture and its artistic elements. Paintings of colonial São Paulo, baroque art and Incas traces were found. The recovery also included the rescue of parts and woodwork sold to antique shops.