Parish of Our Lady of Brotas (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia)
| Paróquia Nossa Senhora de Brotas | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Our Lady of Brotas |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |
| Deanery: | |
| Address: | Avenida Dom João VI, s/n, Brotas, Salvador, BA 40285-000 |
| Coordinates: | -12.9764, -38.4889 |
| City: | Salvador, BA |
| Subdivision: | Bahia |
| Country: | Brazil |
| County: | |
| Website: | No website specified |
| Founded: | 1600s |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | |
Paróquia Nossa Senhora de Brotas (Parish of Our Lady of Brotas) is a territorial parish in the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia, located in the Brotas neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title "Nossa Senhora de Brotas"—an invocation originating from a Portuguese sanctuary in Brotas, near Lisbon, where Mary is venerated as protectress and source of graces—the parish church is a historic colonial structure central to the neighborhood's identity.
The church dates to the seventeenth century, with traditions linking its foundation to early colonial devotions, though exact dates cannot be confirmed from publicly available sources. It is protected as national heritage by IPHAN. As of December 15, 2025, the parish continues to serve the local community with regular liturgies and Marian devotions.
The title "de Brotas" reflects Portuguese Marian piety transplanted to Brazil, emphasizing Mary's intercession and maternal care.
History
The church of Nossa Senhora de Brotas in the Brotas area traces its origins to the colonial period, likely the seventeenth century, as part of Salvador's early religious foundations. The devotion was brought from Portugal, where the original sanctuary in Brotas is associated with miraculous events.
The exact date of canonical erection as a parish cannot be confirmed from publicly available sources, though it functions as an established historic parish in Brotas. Protected as national heritage by IPHAN, the church has undergone restorations to preserve its colonial features.
Special features
- Patronal devotion to Our Lady of Brotas, with local feast celebrations
- Integration into the historic and cultural fabric of the Brotas neighborhood
Relics
According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated churches. Specific details regarding the saints associated with these relics are not publicly documented in available sources. This follows common practice where first-class relics, often of martyrs, are sealed within the altar.
Architecture
The church exemplifies colonial architecture from the seventeenth or eighteenth century, with features typical of Bahian religious buildings of the period.
It is protected as national heritage by IPHAN.
Art and devotional features
The interior includes colonial altarpieces and imagery focused on the patroness, Our Lady of Brotas.
Specific details on particular artworks or sculptures are limited in publicly available sources.