Parish of Our Lady of Piety (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia)
| Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Piedade | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Our Lady of Piety |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |
| Deanery: | |
| Address: | Praça da Piedade, s/n, Piedade, Salvador, BA 40070-010 |
| Coordinates: | -12.9694, -38.5097 |
| City: | Salvador, BA |
| Subdivision: | Bahia |
| Country: | Brazil |
| County: | |
| Website: | No website specified |
| Founded: | 1700s |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | |
Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Parish of Our Lady of Piety) is a territorial parish in the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia, located in the Piedade neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title "Nossa Senhora da Piedade" (Our Lady of Piety)—evoking the Pietà, the sorrowful Mother holding the body of her crucified Son, a theme central to Catholic devotion to Mary's compassion in the Passion—the parish church stands as a historic landmark in the city center.
The church dates to the eighteenth century, with construction associated with colonial religious foundations in Salvador. It is protected as national heritage by IPHAN. As of December 15, 2025, the parish continues to serve the local community with regular liturgies, particularly emphasizing devotions during Holy Week and the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (closely related to the Pietà theme) on September 15.
The title "da Piedade" reflects longstanding Catholic meditation on Mary's role as co-sufferer with Christ.
History
The church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade in the Piedade square traces its origins to the eighteenth century, emerging during the baroque expansion of religious institutions in colonial Salvador. Exact dates of construction and canonical erection as a parish cannot be confirmed from publicly available sources, though it is recognized as a historic parish in the city.
Protected as national heritage by IPHAN, the church has undergone restorations to preserve its colonial features.
Special features
- Association with the Pietà devotion, fostering reflection on Mary's sorrows
- Location in a central square of Salvador, facilitating participation in city-wide religious events
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 eighteenth-century colonial baroque architecture typical of Salvador, with ornamentation suited to Marian devotional practices.
It is protected as national heritage by IPHAN.
Art and devotional features
The interior likely features imagery of the Pietà, portraying the sorrowful Virgin with the dead Christ, a common motif in churches dedicated to Our Lady of Piety.
Specific details on particular artworks, sculptures, or altarpieces are limited in publicly available sources.