You've climbed Outeiro da Glória, and the reward is behind you: Guanabara Bay, Flamengo Park and, in the distance, Sugarloaf Mountain. But the church deserves as much attention as the view.

1A hill with a past

This area saw one of the founding episodes of Rio: in January 1567 the Portuguese attacked the fortified position of Uruçu-mirim, on the shore of today's Flamengo, held by the French and their Tamoio allies. In that fight Estácio de Sá, the city's founder, was hit in the face by an arrow and died a month later.

2A figure of eight in stone

In 1699 Cláudio do Amaral Gurgel gave the land to the Glória brotherhood, and the church opened in 1739. Its plan is exceptional: two linked octagons forming an «8», without clear precedent in Brazil. Tradition credits the design to Lieutenant Colonel José Cardoso Ramalho, but no documents confirm it. Inside, the blue-and-white azulejo panels were made in Lisbon between 1735 and 1740.

After the Court arrived, Princess Maria da Glória, future Queen of Portugal, was baptised here in 1819, followed later by Pedro II and Princess Isabel.

3What to look for

  • The onion-domed tower, unmistakable from Flamengo.
  • The lioz stone doorways brought from Lisbon.
  • The view of Sugarloaf and, on clear days, Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado.

Documented

The church opened in 1739, has a plan of two octagons, and Princess Maria da Glória was baptised here in 1819.

Oral tradition

The attribution of the design to José Cardoso Ramalho comes from oral tradition and is not documented.

Sources and credits

Imperial Irmandade de Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro (official website); IPHAN, listed heritage records; Portuguese Wikipedia, «Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro» and «Estácio de Sá».

Photos:

  • Aerial view of the Glória do Outeiro church on its hill: Donatas Dabravolskas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
  • Tower of the Glória church among flowering ipê trees: Romarj, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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