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Cristo Rei Palace in São Luís do Maranhão

The Cristo Rei Palace is located in the Largo dos Amores and is an example of 19th century Ludovico architecture. Historically, it served as a residence for nobles, housed Jesuit schools and was the seat of the Archbishopric. Today, the palace houses the headquarters of the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA).

Architectural features

Predominantly neoclassical in style, the palace has a main staircase in stone, which retains its original features and is one of the entrances to the interior of the building.

Another important attraction is the Cristo Rei Memorial, which houses clothing, a collection of paintings, manuscripts and devices such as the Remetec, used to communicate and publicise the first entrance examinations.

With the title of Guardian of UFMA’s Memory, the Cristo Rei Palace, located in Praça Gonçalves Dias, is a beautiful example of São Luís’s colonial architecture.

Built in 1838 on the initiative of Commander José Joaquim Vieira Belfort, the mansion served as his family home in its early years.

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Palácio Cristo Rei

Origin of the name “Cristo Rei

The origin of the name “Cristo Rei” for the palace dates back to its use as the seat of the Archbishopric of São Luís. The title “Christ the King” is a reference to the figure of Jesus Christ, often associated in the Christian tradition with kingship and spiritual leadership.

The choice of this name reflects not only the religious function of the building, but also the importance of the palace as a symbol of faith and ecclesiastical authority in the region.

Over time, the palace has consolidated itself as an important cultural and historical heritage site, especially after its transformation into the headquarters of the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), reinforcing the link between the name “Cristo Rei” and its relevance to local history and identity.

History of the Palace

The Belfort heirs sold the property in 1900 to the Vice Consul of the United States of America, Joaquim Baptista do Prado, a banker who used to offer sophisticated delicacies to the poor.

After his death by suicide, the mansion was auctioned off and passed through several owners until it came into the hands of the Bishops of São Luís, becoming the seat of the Archbishopric of the capital and named Palácio Cristo Rei.

In the following years, the Archbishopric ceded the building to the Faculty of Philosophy of Maranhão, which became the University of Maranhão Foundation.

During the rectorate of Josué Montello, the building was acquired by the institution and renovated to house the university.

In 1991, a major fire consumed part of the mansion and destroyed important university documents, forcing the institution to carry out extensive renovations to the palace, which reopened on 21 October 1993. On that date, the UFMA inaugurated the Cristo Rei Memorial, with the aim of preserving the history of the university.

The Memorial Collection

The Memorial’s collection includes documents, official clothing, photographs and old machines used by university courses such as Remetec. There is also a wing for temporary exhibitions.

Structure and design

The Palace of Cristo Rei was built by the architect Manoel Pulgão in the Late Baroque style. The mansion has two floors and a belvedere, with two side entrances. The main entrance gives access to the garden and the staircase to the second floor, which is decorated with a carved stone portal crowned by a statue of the goddess Diana.

On the ground floor, a set of seven glasses with large irons decorates the façade. On the upper floor there are three doors with balconies and double-lined windows on each side.

The central set of doors is repeated in the belvedere, whose side walls are covered with colonial tiles. From here you have a beautiful view of Gonçalves Dias Square and the São Francisco Bridge over the Anil River.

The garden is one of the highlights of the site, containing a fountain, probably part of a set of six English pieces from 1856, commissioned by Raimundo Teixeira Mendes, founder of the Companhia de Águas Rio Anil. There is also a Frown on the back wall of the garden, similar to the city’s famous fountains.

Useful information

Address: Palácio Cristo Rei, Praça Gonçalves Dias, 351
Hours: Monday to Friday, from 8 to 11am and from 2 to 5pm
Entrance fee: Free.

Conclusion

The Cristo Rei Palace is an important cultural heritage site in São Luís do Maranhão, reflecting the rich history and architectural evolution of the region.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 03/03/2017 · Updated on 02/06/2025

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